NATURE
From the hooked-nose sea pig to the double-coated cow, Sally Coulthard salutes the extraordinary animals that have evolved to survive and thrive in extremis
THE FORMIDABLE FARMHAND
With a history that stretches back thousands of years, the Welsh mountain pony is thought to have descended from Celtic equines that roamed the moorlands of Wales. Small and spirited, it was prized for its resilience and ability to tackle rough terrain. This formidable beast was ideal for ploughing, pulling carts and riding, but it was in the coalmines where it made its mark. From the 18th century onwards, thousands toiled underground, hauling coal and keeping the wheels of industry turning (welshmountainpony.org). countryliving.com/uk
THE “HOOKED-NOSE SEA PIG”
The grey seal is one of only two seal species native to Great Britain. Its scientific moniker Halichoerus grypus means “hooked-nose sea pig” –aname that fails to capture the charm of its large, doleful eyes and expressive face. However, the grey seal has a steely core, working relentlessly to catch the 5kg of seafood it needs every day, spending most of its time deep diving in bitterly cold waters. Luckily, with a layer of blubber up to 6cm thick, it can cope with whatever the sea throws at it (mammal.org.uk).
THE DOUBLE-COATED COW
From the rolling Sussex Downs to the Yorkshire Dales, you’ll find herds of majestically horned Highland cattle. But it’s on the bleak uplands of Britain that this exceptionally robust cow feels most at home. Highland cattle flourish on mountain terrain, with its lashings of rainfall and fierce winds – a landscape where few other breeds could cope. Poor forage and harsh weather prove no match for a breed blessed with such a thick coat. In fact, the Highland cow’s double layers – long, shaggy hairs hiding adowny undercoat – are thought to make it as cold tolerant as many Arctic animals (highlandcattlesociety.com).
THE FLOCK STAR
The tiny island of Soay, off Scotland’s west coast, is battered by ferocious weather. This remote, granite-cliff landmass is also home to one of the oldest surviving breeds in the world. How Soay sheep got to the island in the first place isn’t clear, but many believe these hardened, agile ovines arrived with Bronze Age farmers nearly 4,000 years ago. This truly ancient breed also retains many useful traits now sadly lost in modern sheep – from stout immunity and good fertility rates (lambing up until the age of ten to 12) to fleet-footedness and a fleece that falls off by itself. This sheep most definitely stands out from the flock: Ishould know, Ihave ten of them, pictured here with my Herdwicks and
