I decided to find out a bit more about this breed - as goats are my very favourite animal, and after farming them for some 15 years, they still really interest and amaze me. This particular goat is a large hoofed mammal, found only in North America (Rocky Mountains and Cascade Range regions), it resides at high elevations and is a sure-footed climber, resting on rocky cliffs so that predators cannot reach, it is often referred to as the Rocky Mountain Goat. Now what amazed me is that it is not a member of Capra, the genus of true goats; it belongs to the family of Bovidae which includes antelopes, gazelles and cattle!!! However it is in the subfamily of Caprinae (goat-antelopes) with 32 other species including true goats, sheep, the chamois, and the musk ox. These mountain goats are the largest mammals found in their high-altitude habitats which reach elevations of 13,000 feet or more. This critter is maybe of little interest to most, but to me the goat is a pretty smart and intelligent creature!
Showing posts with label Goats still amaze. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Goats still amaze. Show all posts
Monday, August 2, 2010
Another from Montana
Yes a "Mountain Goat" from Montana - Lois forwarded another photo from their trip today. There is a story here -' while they were driving up the "Going-to-the-Sun Road" this young creature meandered across in front of them to some high ground with the appropriate backdrop and stood patiently for some photo shots' - true! I have seen a few of these mountain goats before in the Canadian Rockies, but from a great distance, can't say any have actually stood on a scenic rise for me to click a photo or 10 - good one Lois!
I decided to find out a bit more about this breed - as goats are my very favourite animal, and after farming them for some 15 years, they still really interest and amaze me. This particular goat is a large hoofed mammal, found only in North America (Rocky Mountains and Cascade Range regions), it resides at high elevations and is a sure-footed climber, resting on rocky cliffs so that predators cannot reach, it is often referred to as the Rocky Mountain Goat. Now what amazed me is that it is not a member of Capra, the genus of true goats; it belongs to the family of Bovidae which includes antelopes, gazelles and cattle!!! However it is in the subfamily of Caprinae (goat-antelopes) with 32 other species including true goats, sheep, the chamois, and the musk ox. These mountain goats are the largest mammals found in their high-altitude habitats which reach elevations of 13,000 feet or more. This critter is maybe of little interest to most, but to me the goat is a pretty smart and intelligent creature!
I decided to find out a bit more about this breed - as goats are my very favourite animal, and after farming them for some 15 years, they still really interest and amaze me. This particular goat is a large hoofed mammal, found only in North America (Rocky Mountains and Cascade Range regions), it resides at high elevations and is a sure-footed climber, resting on rocky cliffs so that predators cannot reach, it is often referred to as the Rocky Mountain Goat. Now what amazed me is that it is not a member of Capra, the genus of true goats; it belongs to the family of Bovidae which includes antelopes, gazelles and cattle!!! However it is in the subfamily of Caprinae (goat-antelopes) with 32 other species including true goats, sheep, the chamois, and the musk ox. These mountain goats are the largest mammals found in their high-altitude habitats which reach elevations of 13,000 feet or more. This critter is maybe of little interest to most, but to me the goat is a pretty smart and intelligent creature!
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