The Mountain Goat or Rocky Mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus) exists only in the Rocky Mountains and the Coast mountains regions in North America. Although it looks like a goat, it is called a goat, it is actually more related to the antelope family. To avoid predators, it can climb rocky cliffs that predators (like the grizzly bear and the cougar) cannot reach. "Mountain goats dig 25-50 mm deep "bedding depressions," where they rest during the mid-day and night. They also dust bathe in these depressions, possibly to remove parasites or shedding skin/hair. These beds have caused damage to certain rare and endangered plant populations in areas of Washington where mountain goats have been introduced. ( source )" About 100,000 mountain goats are estimated to live in North America.
The Mountain goat is listed as Least Concern (LR/lc), lowest risk. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category, on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Namings for the mountain goat
A young / baby of a mountain goat is called a 'kid'. The females are called 'doe or nannie' and males 'buck or billy'. A mountain goat group is called a 'herd'.Some facts about the
Mountain goat
Adult weight : 90 kg (198 lbs)
Maximum longevity : 21 years
Female maturity :912 days
Male maturity : 912 days
Gestation : 184 days
Weaning : 122 days
Litter size : 1
Litters per year : 1
Interval between litters : 365 days
Weight at birth : 3.2 kg (7.04 lbs)
Basal metabolic rate : 46 W
Body mass : 32 kg (70.4 lbs)
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