Some Facts About Mountain Goats
TIL
By Andrew Parker - February 20, 2022

Although they resemble goats closely, mountain goats are not actual goats but close relatives. The goat antelope is a more accurate description that pays attention to their features. Here are some things about this animal. Mountain goats are the largest mammals found in high-altitude regions. They are native to Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and the Canadian Rockies and measure about 3.5 feet tall and 5.5 feet long. They have an average life span of nine to twelve years, but this varies with their environment. For example, under domesticated conditions, they can live up to 20 years of age. At the same time, some rocky mountain goats extend over 20 years of age.

Getty Images/Menno Boermans

Mountain goats have a superior climbing ability, as shown in their appearance at highly high heights. This ability is due to their cloven hooves with two toes that spread wide to improve balance—the bottom of each toe house rough pads that resemble the grip provided by a climbing shoe. Staying at really high heights helps protect them from predators, and they migrate to lover heights during the winter. Their sturdy feet also enable them to jump 12feet in a single leap.

Mountain goats have long hair, which cushions against their habitats’ cold and harsh weather conditions. Their white, long hair also acts as camouflage in the snow, protecting them from danger. During the hotter periods of summer, they shed their thick coat. Although some mountain goats undergo domestication, they can be very aggressive, fighting to compete for food, shelter, etc. In addition, during mating season, the males engage in fights to mate with a nanny. These fights could quickly become fatal, as their horns are strong enough to crack open the double skulls of their opponent when they clash with great force. You can tell the age of a mountain goat after 22months by counting the number of rings on their horns.