Wild goat
Wild goats, belonging to the genus Capra and species Aegagrus, are native to regions of Eurasia and the Middle East, including countries like Turkey, Pakistan, Armenia, and Afghanistan. They resemble domesticated goats found in petting zoos, featuring short light brown fur that can gray with age, and unique horns that vary between males and females. Males typically weigh between 165 and 265 pounds, while females are lighter, ranging from 110 to 120 pounds. Wild goats are herbivores, primarily feeding on grass, leaves, and shrubs, and they live in herds of up to 20 individuals.
Mating occurs in the fall, with young goats, known as kids, being born from January to March when food is plentiful. Despite their resilience, wild goats face threats that have led to their classification as a near-threatened species, including habitat loss, poaching, and competition for resources. Additionally, they hold economic importance as some are domesticated for their milk, meat, and skin, which are utilized in various human activities. Overall, wild goats play a significant role in their ecosystems and cultures, but their survival is becoming increasingly precarious.
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Wild goat
Wild goats are native to areas of Eurasia and the Middle East, including Turkey, Pakistan, Armenia, and Afghanistan. Wild goats can jump almost six feet (1 3/4 meters) into the air from a standing position. The wild goat is considered a near-threatened species.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Genus: Capra
Species: Aegagrus
Wild goats look a lot like the goats in petting zoos and domesticated goats. They have coats of very short light brown fur on their backs and lighter fur on their bellies. As the goat gets older this fur may turn gray, just as human hair sometimes turns gray with age. Male wild goats have thick horns that go straight up and curve toward their backs. The horns of female wild goats are smaller and straighter. Wild goats grow to be about 4 1/2 feet (1 1/2 meters) long and two to three feet (60 to 90 centimeters) tall. The males weigh between 165 and 265 pounds (74 to 120 kilograms), while the females weigh only 110 to 120 pounds (50 to 55 kilograms).
Wild goats live in the Middle East and southwest Asia. They live in herds of up to 20 animals. Wild goats are herbivores, or plant-eating animals. They eat grass, leaves, shrubs, and other vegetation.
Mating season for wild goats is in the fall. The kids, young goats, are born between January and March when there is a lot of food available. Male wild goats may have to fight over the female they want to mate. The gestation period (duration of pregnancy) is about five months. The female then gives birth to one or two kids.
Wild goats are hunted by humans for their horns and bezoars, small balls of swallowed hair that form smooth, hard pebbles in the goat's stomach. Some people think those pebbles are a kind of medicine. Wild goats are also domesticated by humans. Domestication means that humans tame the goats and teach them how to work for the humans. Wild goats are domesticated for their milk, flesh, and skin. Their milk can be drunk or turned into cheese. Their flesh can be eaten, and their skin can be used to make clothing.
The wild goat has a life span of between 10 and 18 years. Wild goats are considered a near-threatened species due to habitat loss, poaching, and competition with other animals.
Bibliography
“Wild Goat (Capra Aegagrus).” iNaturalist, 10 Mar. 2023, www.inaturalist.org/taxa/74139-Capra-aegagrus. Accessed 17 Mar. 2024.
“Wild Goat (Caprus Aegagrus).” The Extinctions, www.theextinctions.com/caprusaegagrus. Accessed 17 Mar. 2024.