Goats, closely related to sheep, have long played an essential part in human history. Remarkable for their milk, meat, and skinâeven considered by some to be foster parents for humansâgoat milk has long been appreciated for its nutritional properties and digestibility.
Did you know you can estimate a goat’s age simply by inspecting its teeth? This is just one of many fascinating facts about goats! Ready to discover even more? Join us as we delve into this diverse species’ world, unlocking those hidden gems of knowledge that make these incredible animals special!
10 Uncommonly Known Facts About Goats
1: Goats Are Available in More Than 200 Different Breeds
There are over 200 recognized domestic goat breeds (Capra aegagrus hircus). The U.S. Department of Agriculture has classified these into four groups: Dairy goats, Spanish or Mexican meat goats raised for meat production, South African Boers known for rebreeding while nursing and Angora goats valued for their wool production.
Breeds vary greatly in terms of size, color, and behaviorâsome even display unique qualities like fainting. Ear shapes also vary, with certain breeds having perky ears while others possess flappy ones. Mes Saanen goats from the dairy goat breed are among the largest, while Nigerian Dwarf Goats represent their smaller counterparts.
2: Goats Have Beards and Wattles
An amazing fact about goats is their unique facial hair characteristics: beards and wattles. Beards consist of the tufts of hair found below their chins, while any appendages with long, curled locks around the throat area are known as wattlesâalthough they sometimes appear elsewhere, such as on faces or ears!
Beards and wattles can be seen on both male and female goats. Although beards and wattles have no functional purpose and pose no threats to these goats’ welfare, they may get caught on fence feeders or become chew targets by other goats. Therefore, some owners choose to have these features surgically removed to reduce injuries to other goats or themselves.
3: Goats Typically Live Between 10 to 12 Years
Goat lifespan varies significantly according to breed and living environment; typically, healthy goats live for 10-12 years in captivity before needing replacement.
Wild goats typically live from 15 to 18 years, while domesticated varieties usually live 9 to 12 years with optimal care, reaching 15 to 18 in extreme cases, such as McGinty, who lived an astounding 22 years and 5 months before passing away in November 2003 in the UK.
4: Goats Are Born With Teeth
Goats begin developing their initial set of milk teeth shortly after birth to within one week after they come into this world, followed by additional sets at one to two weeks, two to three weeks, and three to four weeks, respectively. Goats don’t possess upper jaw teeth like humans do, instead relying on hard dental pads to grind food.
5: Goats Are Not Fond of Rain
Yes, one fascinating fact about goats is their dislike for rain or water. According to the USDA National Agricultural Library, goats search for shelter at the first sign of a storm, often before it starts raining, usually searching for one before any raindrop falls. Additionally, goats have evolved an aversion for puddles and mud as an evolutionary adaptation for parasite avoidance; some people provide goats with covered shelters equipped with elevated, slatted floors so as to guarantee they stay scorched at all times.
6: Goats Possess Rectangular Pupils
Goats possess horizontal, rectangular pupils. While grazing prey, goats often possess side-slanted eyes to broaden their field of vision and detect predators nearby while decreasing sunlight glare. Goats’ horizontal, rectangular pupils elongate peripheral vision further still.
7: Goats Have Varying Shapes and Sizes
Goats exhibit a remarkable diversity in shapes, sizes, breeds, and colors. Their size can vary significantly across different breeds, ranging from miniature to full-sized goats. For instance, Nigerian dwarf goats are small, typically weighing around 20 pounds and standing about 18 inches (45.7 centimeters) tall. In contrast, Anglo-Nubian goats are much larger, weighing up to 250 pounds and reaching heights of 42 inches (106.7 centimeters).
Rove goats are considered medium-sized, while Altai Mountain goats range from medium to moderate in size. This wide range of physical characteristics highlights the adaptability and diversity of the species.
8: Goats Are Social Animals
Goats exhibit a remarkable variety of shapes, sizes, breeds, and colors. Size can vary significantly among breeds, from miniature to full-sized goats. For instance, Nigerian dwarf goats typically weigh 20 pounds and reach 18 inches (45.7 centimeters); Anglo-Nubians, on the other hand, may reach over 250 pounds and reach 42 inches (106.7 centimeters).
Rove goats can be considered medium-sized, while Altai Mountain goats tend towards medium. Their wide array of physical characteristics reflects their adaptability and diversity as a species.
9: Goats Communicate With Each Other by Bleating
Goats communicate through bleating (the sound created by a goat), which ranges in tone and pitch depending on its emotional content, to express different states within their herd-mates and recognize when someone in need is calling out in distress (especially mothers) using these sounds to keep close their youngsters (they quickly recognize each other’s bleats shortly after birth!). Furthermore, vocal communication among goats plays an integral part in maintaining social bonds as well as the safety and cohesion of their herd.
10: Goats Are Picky Eaters
Goats may be herbivores, yet they’re surprisingly selective eaters. Their sensitive lips play an integral part in sensing food quality by tasting what’s being offered to themâthese picky diners don’t settle for just anything when choosing their meals!
Goats tend not to like eating food that’s been damaged from being left out too long. They prefer long, fibrous foods for optimal digestion and don’t appreciate sudden diet shifts. Furthermore, goats prefer nibbling plants rather than simply grazing grass, thus limiting how often food from the ground gets into their system.
Conclusion
As evidenced by the fascinating facts about goats mentioned above, goats are much more than simple livestock. Their remarkable adaptability and social behaviors underline their significance and resilience. From providing essential resources to showing unique traits, goats have earned themselves a prominent place in human history while continuing to captivate us with their versatility.
FAQs
What are 5 facts about goats?
- Over 200 breeds of goats exist.
- Each variety features distinctive traits like beards and wattles.
- The typical lifespan for domesticated goats ranges between 10 and 12 years in captivity.
- Goats are born with teeth.
- They do not enjoy the rain.
Do all goats have beards?
Yes, many goats (regardless of gender) can sport beards.
How many days do goats live?
On average, goats typically live 10-12 years when kept as pets in captivity, but some have lived as long as 20. McGinty was known to live 22 years and 5 months until her passing in November 2003 in England.
Do goats have rectangular pupils?
Yes, goats possess rectangular pupils, which provide them with an expanded field of vision. This helps them detect predators more readily while attenuating sunlight glare.
How do goats communicate with each other?
Goats communicate using vocalizations such as bleating sounds that differ in tone and pitch to express different emotions. Their vocal communication serves an integral purpose: maintaining social bonds while protecting and uniting the herd.