What Makes Mountain Goats Different from True Goats?

Quck answer

Mountain goats, despite their name, are not actually goats. They are part of the same family as antelopes and gazelles, and their scientific name is Oreamnos americanus. Unlike true goats, mountain goats have specialized hooves and tough pads that help them navigate steep and rocky terrain. They also have thick coats of fur to protect them from the cold mountain climate. Despite their differences from goats, mountain goats are still an impressive and iconic animal of the North American wilderness.

Wild Animals

Mountain goats have distinct features that help them thrive in mountainous environments. Explore more images of mammals.
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Humans tend to name animals based on their physical resemblance to other creatures rather than their biological classification. Consider sea horses, which have nothing in common with horses apart from their elongated faces. Mountain goats are also misnamed because they are not classified as true goats, despite sporting woolly coats, cloven hooves, and horns similar to those of goats. Male and female mountain goats are even called billies and nannies, respectively. Understanding the differences in these three physical traits can help us understand how mountain goats are unique.

The most significant difference between mountain goats and true goats is their habitat. Mountain goats, of which there are between 40,000 and 100,000 in North America, live in mountainous regions, ranging from the northern Rockies to south central Alaska [source: FВ­esta-Bianchet and Cote]. Their high-altitude homes require them to have thicker and shaggier fur than domesticated goats. Mountain goats have two types of woolly fur to keep them warm: shorter inner fur close to their skin, and long guard hairs that can extend up to 8 inches (20 centimeters). The guard hairs have a hollow structure, which traps cold air before it reaches the skin [source: Chadwick].

To navigate the treacherous terrain, mountain goats have specialized hooves that are ideal for climbing and descending. Their split hooves can be spread out or contracted to provide stability, while rubbery padding on the soles of their hooves offers extra traction, making it easier for them to move around. This adaptation is essential for survival, since the environment is the biggest threat to mountain goats. Although predators such as cougars and bald eagles may venture into their habitat, more mountain goats die from falling due to snowdrifts, avalanches, and rockslides [source: Burton and Burton].

However, the most noticeable difference between mountain goats and true goats is their horns.

Mountain Goat Species and True Goats

Mountain goats have characteristic horns that set them apart from other rupicaprid animals.
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In order to be considered a true goat, an animal must belong to the Capra genus, which includes species of domesticated and wild goats as well as ibexes (European mountain goats). However, North American mountain goats are the only members of the Oreamnos genus. The Latin name for the genus, Oreamnos, translates to “mountain lamb,” which is misleading since mountain goats are not sheep. While some descriptions refer to mountain goats as genetic crosses between true goats and antelopes, or goat-antelopes, molecular studies suggest that they share a common ancestor with true goats and sheep [source: Chadwick]. Some studies have even linked mountain goats to musk oxen [source: Festa-Bianchet and Cote].

Goats and mountain goats are not very different anatomically, although there is one primary difference: their bones. Mountain goats have lighter skulls than true goats and their horns have a different shape, curving slightly back toward their heads and growing shorter, slenderer, and pointier. Male mountain goats benefit from the smaller horns during mating season. Mountain goats belong to a tribe of bovine species called rupicaprids, which are a subset of the Caprinae family. Five species make up the tribe, including the mountain goat. Each species looks different from one another except for their signature horns. Researchers can determine the age of mountain goats by counting the rings on their horns.

In addition to mountain goats, the article also covers other topics related to animals, including how to determine a mountain goat’s age, a list of related HowStuffWorks articles, and additional resources for learning more about mountain goats. The article concludes with a list of sources for the information presented.

FAQ

1. What are mountain goats?

Mountain goats are hoofed mammals that are native to North America. They are known for their remarkable ability to climb steep mountain slopes and cliffs.

2. Why aren’t they really goats?

Despite their name, mountain goats are not actually goats. They are members of the antelope family and are more closely related to gazelles and giraffes than to true goats.

3. How do they survive in their mountainous habitat?

Mountain goats have several adaptations that allow them to thrive in their rocky, high-altitude habitat. These include strong hooves with rubbery soles that provide excellent traction on steep slopes, thick fur that keeps them warm in cold temperatures, and a unique digestive system that allows them to extract nutrients from tough, fibrous plants.

4. What do mountain goats eat?

Mountain goats are primarily herbivorous and feed on a variety of plants, including grasses, sedges, and shrubs. They are also known to lick rocks for minerals and salts.

5. How do mountain goats protect themselves?

Mountain goats have few natural predators, but they still need to protect themselves from potential threats. They rely on their agility and climbing abilities to evade predators, and they also use their sharp horns to defend themselves if necessary.

6. How do mountain goats communicate?

Mountain goats use a variety of vocalizations, including grunts, bleats, and snorts, to communicate with each other. They also use body language, such as head nods and tail flicks, to convey information.

7. How do mountain goats reproduce?

Mountain goats mate in the fall, and females give birth to one or two kids in the spring. The kids are born with a full coat of fur and are able to climb shortly after birth.

8. Are mountain goats endangered?

Mountain goats are not currently considered endangered, but some populations are threatened by habitat loss, hunting, and disease. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these unique animals and their fragile mountain ecosystems.