The goat (Capra
aegagrus hircus) is a member of the Bovidae family and claims kinship with the
sheep. Goats have been a domesticated animal for almost as long as civilization
has existed. They are a great source of meat, milk and fur.
Female goats are
called nannies, male goats are called billies and infant goats are referred to
as kids. With three hundred different varieties on the planet, finding one to
suit local habitats is easy making breeding and herding of goats a global
practice.
Goats have four
chambers in their stomach and eyes on the side of their heads rather than the
front. The eyes have slit shaped pupils rather than round pupils. This is to
assist the goats with depth perception. Other distinctive features of the goat
are horns and beards that appear on both the male and female members of the
species.
Not fussy about
their food goats will almost anything from grass to garbage and everything in
between. Goats like to graze and love alfalfa. Highly intelligent animals,
goats will avoid contaminated food and water and test any boundary. It is
difficult to hold goats in a pen once they have realized they can get out. This
is another reason free range herding is popular.
Goats can live for
up to 18 years. The Angora goat is the source of a very fine yarn called
mohair.