Domestic Goats

Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Genus: Capra
Scientific Name: Capra hircus

Alpine Goat:

This medium-large goat has no set colour or markings instead they come in a wide variety of colour combinations. They have erect ears and straight, narrow horns. They have mainly short hair, although males tend to have a strip of long hair down their spine and a pronounced beard. Males will stand around 86-100cm (34-40 inches) at the shoulder and weigh up to 77kg (170lbs), while females will stand around 76cm (30 inches) at the shoulder and weigh up to 61kg (135lbs).

Goats were among the first animal humans domesticated for their meat and milk. Alpine goats have a good sense of direction, excellent balance, and can survive in a variety of habitats and climates. Originating in the European Alps, they have been transported around the world.

Females often have twins with a gestation lasting 150 days.

Pygmy Goat:

This small goat is stocky in appearance with short limbs and comes in variety of colours and patterns. They have horizontal ears and curved horns. Their hair is medium length and straight. Males have a beard, but females do not. They stand 38-56cm (15-22 inches) at the shoulder and typically weigh 18-27kg (40-60lbs).

Goats were among the first animal humans domesticated for their meat and milk. Pygmy goats are friendly, docile, and small so they are also often kept as pets as well as farmed. Originating in West Africa, they have been transported around the world and can thrive in many different climates and habitats.

Males produce a strong musk from the crown of their head to attract females. Females often give birth to twins with a gestation of 150 days.

Wild Fact:

When Cherry Brook Zoo in New Brunswick closed in 2020 we welcomed these domestic goats to live at our park. The black alpine goat is a female they called Lyla and the brown pygmy goat is a male they called Stinky.

Goat Milk:

Alpine goats produce a milk that is protein-rich and low in fat making it a popular choice for dairy production as well as being used to feed orphaned wildlife during their rehabilitation.

Pygmy goat milk is high in fat and pygmy goats can breed in any season so they can produce milk year around making them a valuable resource for dairy production.

Goat	VS	Sheep
Browsers Leaves and twigs at head level	Eating Habits	Grazers Grasses at ground level
Hair	Pelt	Wool
Point up	Tails	Hang down
Straight Narrow	Horns	Curly Thick
Curious Independent	Personality	Shy Flock Dependent