Tunis fat-tailed sheep

The Tunis sheep from Tunisia is one of the oldest breeds of sheep and is mentioned in the Bible and other ancient scripts. Also known as the Tunisian Barbary, it is noted for the great quantity of fat that accumulates in the tail.

As one of the so-called fat-tailed sheep breeds, the tail in some Barbarins weigh up to 80 pounds (36 kg). Shepherds have been known to fasten a board to the underside of the tail and sometimes to attach wheels to the board to enable the sheep to carry its tail without injury.

The fat in the tail of the Tunis sheep is highly prized as a delicacy and is often used instead of butter.