About Laticauda Sheep

Photo source: Agraria.org.

The Laticauda sheep, known for their distinctive white coats, trace their ancestry back to Northern African sheep. Over time, these sheep have undergone significant development, acquiring many of their modern traits through crossbreeding with sheep from the Apennines region of Italy. It is believed that they were introduced to Italy during the reign of Charles III, a period marked by cultural exchange and trade between regions.

Renowned for their versatility, Laticauda sheep are raised for both meat and milk production. Their milk is particularly esteemed for its high quality, prized for its richness and used in the production of premium pecorino cheese, renowned for its distinctive flavor and texture.

The Laticauda sheep are known by various names, reflecting their presence and significance across different regions and communities. These include Barbaresca campana, Bastarda arianese, Beneventana, Casalinga, Casereccia, and Coda chiatta, among others. This diversity in nomenclature underscores their widespread distribution and importance within the Italian agricultural landscape.