It is quite common to find young animals alone for short periods of time while their mothers feed or go to water. Calves, kids or lambs are often found sleeping by themselves during such intervals. Although this lamb was found dead of exposure, it is common to find young livestock sleeping by themselves in a natural position. These two lambs exhibit the typical appearance of stillborn young or those that have died very shortly after birth. There is no indication that they have made any strong attempt to rise and the fetal membrane is still present on the lamb on the left.
Caution is essential in interpreting injuries.
For example, this lamb died of injuries to the liver caused by trampling in a corral. During necropsy, the carcass should be examined for evidence of adequate nutrition. This Angora kid's stomach was full of milk, indicating that it was well nourished when it was killed by an eagle.