Outnumbered as domestic animals in the West by sheep and cows, goats were in fact one of the first domestic animals, and have been used by humans for theirs meat, milk and hair since around 6000BC.
Originally wild animals, goats revert easily to their feral state given the chance and many remain as wild herds in inaccessible places such as the mountains of the Himalaya or African high planes. They flock naturally, although not a closely as sheep, and are known for their speed and sure footedness, which is their only defence against predators.
While almost all goats are born with horns, they use these mainly in fights amongst themselves, usually to determine the dominant male in a group. During the mating season male goats will join groups of females but during the rest of the year they herd in groups of solitary males. In domestic situations, most goats are dehorned short after birth to protect themselves and the humans they come into contact with, but will still butt and bite at each other to sort out their differences.
When not being pursued by males, the females also have a hierarchical society. The group is led by an “alpha” female matriarch and consists of kids and younger adolescent females, who are submissive to the higher ranking females. The kids may be suckled by the mother goat until the next one is born.
Originally wild animals, goats revert easily to their feral state given the chance and many remain as wild herds in inaccessible places such as the mountains of the Himalaya or African high planes. They flock naturally, although not a closely as sheep, and are known for their speed and sure footedness, which is their only defence against predators.
While almost all goats are born with horns, they use these mainly in fights amongst themselves, usually to determine the dominant male in a group. During the mating season male goats will join groups of females but during the rest of the year they herd in groups of solitary males. In domestic situations, most goats are dehorned short after birth to protect themselves and the humans they come into contact with, but will still butt and bite at each other to sort out their differences.
When not being pursued by males, the females also have a hierarchical society. The group is led by an “alpha” female matriarch and consists of kids and younger adolescent females, who are submissive to the higher ranking females. The kids may be suckled by the mother goat until the next one is born.