Pygmy Goat
Scientific Classification
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).
Pygmy goats originated in West Africa from the west african dwarf group of goats. They were imported to be bred for farming, zoos, research, or as companion animals. As such their distribution as domesticated animals is worldwide.
Goats are herbivores eating all kinds of plant matter including grass, hay, leaves, flowers, fruit, and vegetables
Pygmy goats are polyestrous which means that they go into heat multiple times throughout the year. Females often give birth to twins with a gestation of 145-153 days. Young goats can become sexually mature at 2 months old. Their life expectancy is between 15-18 years
Goats have rectangular pupils which gives them wonderful peripheral vision and allows them to maintain a large field of vision when their head is lowered while they are eating.
