Goats are one of the oldest domesticated animals, dating back to about 10,000 years ago. They are kept for their meat, milk, fiber and companionship. But what else do you know about these curious and intelligent creatures? Here are some interesting facts and trivia about goats that might surprise you.
Goats Have Unique Personalities and Can Learn Their Names
According to Four Paws, goats can be taught their name and to come when called. They are also very picky eaters, contrary to the popular belief that they eat anything. Goats use the sneeze sound as an alarm, and they are extremely intelligent and curious. They can solve puzzles, navigate mazes and remember what they have learned for months.
Goats Have Amazing Physical Features and Abilities
Goats have cloven hooves, a long beard on its chin, a short and upward-turned tail and horns that grow upward from the head instead of twisting to the sides like those of sheep. Their hair is straight with a woolly undercoat during winter. A goat’s size is approximately 70 – 120 centimetres (28 – 48 inches) in height, and they weigh 45 – 54 kilograms (100 – 120 pounds).
Goats have an efficient four-chambered stomach that allows them to survive on sparse vegetation. Their digestive process also allows them to eat large quantities of food quickly, reducing foraging time during which they are exposed to predators. Goats can jump 5 feet high, and they hate the rain because their coats lose their insulating ability when wet.
Goats have expressive faces, even with their odd eyes and interesting facial hair. A goat’s eye has a rectangular pupil, which is believed to give them excellent night vision and a wide field of view⁴.
Goats Are Diverse and Valuable
There are more than 200 domestic goat breeds found all over the world today². They come in all sorts of colors and sizes, and they can be found eating grass or tree trunks. Some of the most common domestic breeds are the Angora, Cashmere, French-Alpine, Nubian, Saanen and Toggenburg.
Goat habitats are varied and include mountain steppe, grasslands, and desert. Goats can thrive just about anywhere except the Antarctica which is too cold. Goat population is roughly 600 million maintained worldwide (not including feral populations).
Around the world, more people drink goat milk than cow milk. Goat milk is alkaline and cow milk is acid. Goat milk is lower in cholesterol and higher in calcium, phosphorus and vitamins A. Goats milk is naturally homogenized and digests very easily. The fat globules are smaller and do not clump in masses like cows milk.
Goats are also valued for their meat, which is lean and high in protein. Goat meat is widely consumed in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Goats are also prized for their fiber, such as cashmere and mohair, which are used to make luxurious fabrics.
Goats Are Social and Fun
Goats are ruminants which means they chew cud like cows and sheep. Most goats live in herds of about 5 – 20 members. Goats are fussy eaters that take a lot of time to search out the best snacks. They will often stand on their hind legs to reach the best part of foliage that may be out of reach of sheep.
Goats are playful and enjoy climbing, jumping and running. They also like to interact with humans and other animals. Some research finds they even have canine-like personalities. Baby goats are as cute as puppies, and you just want to pick them up and cuddle them.
Goats have been traded for silver, used to discover coffee beans, and even sent to space. They are among the cleanest of animals, and are much more selective feeders than cows, sheep, pigs, chickens and even dogs.
So if you ever buy a goat for $60 or any other price, you will get more than just an animal. You will get a friend, a companion, a source of food and fiber, and a lot of fun. Goats are amazing animals that deserve our respect and appreciation.