Snow goat - description, habitat, lifestyle

By a snow goat is meant a mountain animal, classified as a cloven-hoofed animal. The representative of the porous family belongs to mammals, lives in cold climatic regions. In today's article, we will study everything that affects these individuals.

Description

1. The animals under discussion are included in the large-sized category, if we compare them with self-similar ones. In height at the withers, an individual can reach a meter with a body length of 1.3-1.7 meters. As for the weight category, goats on average have a weight of about 60-130 kg. The females are a little smaller; in other aspects, sexual dimorphism does not manifest itself.
2. The muzzle is square in shape, the neck is dense and wide, the limbs are muscular and thick. Some compare snow goats to mountain-type goats. However, in terms of the format of the horns, they are more likely similar to domesticated animals. Horns grow to 30 cm maximum. They do not have strong bends; there are also no transverse type rollers.
3. The fur is compacted and lush, somewhat similar to a fur coat. The shade is white or grayish. When it comes to the warm season, the animal's hair softens. She looks velvet. In the winter, it becomes longer and warmer. The hairs are the same in length, but in the lower part of the limbs they are shorter. In the area of ​​the chin there is a beard, consisting of stiff fur.
4. These individuals are large in size and look intimidating. Due to the thick layer of wool, their dimensions seem to increase. As for pigmentation of the horns, they can be black in the winter, then change to brown-gray or light gray closer to heat. The hooves are pigmented in black. A distinctive characteristic of these animals is the ability to deftly move along mountain peaks and rocks, they quickly remember the road and do not get lost on narrow impassable paths.
5. Representatives of the family are distinguished by the ability to jump forward at a distance of up to 7 meters. At the same time, the goat quickly jumps from one large stone to another, changing the trajectory. Animals perfectly see both close and far distances. They differ from goats in that they do not rush at people, but calmly disappear out of sight. When a collision does occur, individuals use their horns.
6. Some have adapted to keep mammals at home, as they are quick-witted and capable of quick contact with humans. Residents of cold regions are peaceful, try to avoid conflict situations and even get along with other animals (for example, cats or dogs).

Habitat

1. These representatives of the family are attracted to the rocky terrain. They settle in the southern or eastern part of Alaska. Also, individuals are common in Montana and Oregon. Some of the animals discussed live in Wyoming, Colorado, Nevada, and Olympic. They are located in Canada, near the province of Alberta. Found in the Yukon and British Columbia.
2. Almost the entire period of its existence, goats live above the level of the forest strip. They climb high on cliffs covered with snow. Accordingly, therefore, they got their name. Nomadic habitat is inherent in these individuals. In small groups of 3-5 individuals, they make movements from one place to another. However, there are single goats.
3. When mammals liked a site suitable for living, they stop for a long time, while there is a food supply. In winter, they gather in a full herd and stick together. Even when a blizzard rages on the rocky peaks, animals remain unwaveringly in the area. The remaining inhabitants leave the region in search of more suitable living conditions.
4. Individuals are able to dig indentations in the snow, thus building themselves an overnight stay. They have a thick coat with water-repellent impregnation, which does not allow mammals to freeze throughout the night. Some members of the family live 3 km away. to a height above sea level. They endure even the harshest weather conditions, down to -40 degrees.
5. Remarkably, the family under discussion does not have too many enemies in its distribution environment. Predators simply do not live in such conditions, and if they live, then they practically do not affect the number of goals. In summer, cougars hunt goats, they also quickly move along the rocks. In the summer, eagles and other large birds attack the kids, subsequently dropping the baby from the cliff.
6. Nothing threatens these representatives of the species; they have never been hunted. People simply collected the fur of animals, after which they spun and made fabrics. However, the view is protected, so in the near future he is not in danger.

Nutrition

1. The basic diet can hardly be called diverse due to the peculiarities of territorial distribution. In highlands, animals eat moss, lichens and other vegetation of this kind. They use hooves and dig them up.
2. In winter, due to the lack of food supply, goats tear off the bark from tree trunks, lean on small shrubs. In summer, they go down a little lower to enjoy greens, fruit and berry fruits, wild cereals, needles and leaves.
3. A lot of time is allocated for grazing, animals can do this in the afternoon or closer to dusk. Some go out looking for food when the moon shines brightly. These animals can travel long distances at once to eat. They are hardy and not afraid to move far from home.

Enemies

1. Goats are herbivores, so they have tender and tasty meat. Due to this characteristic feature, the considered individuals in the wild have many enemies. However, the presented animals are saved by the fact that not all predators can climb to the height where goats live.
2. In addition, the individuals discussed have excellent hearing and vision. Therefore, if someone from the group of goats notices any suspicious activity, they immediately leave the occupied territory with the whole herd. They are in no hurry so as not to create a panic. At this time, the predator does not have enough distance to make a jump.
3. In most cases, individuals can be vulnerable precisely in the autumn-winter season. At such a time, goats descend from the mountains to a valley full of plant food. As a result, they lose their natural defense in the form of a relief landscape. In some cases, such animals manage to fight off predators with hooves and horns.
4. The greatest danger to the animals under discussion is the cougar. Wild cat without any problems can climb steep slopes and rocks along with snow goats. In addition, bald eagles often hunt small kids. It is these birds of prey that pose the greatest threat to young growth.
5. It is noteworthy that when the mating season begins in the presented individuals, the goats and goats become aggressive. They themselves can attack anyone. Therefore, it is better not to step on their territory uninvited guests. As for people, they almost never hunted such goats.
6. Of course, the fur of goats is a welcome trophy, however, if a person rushes after such an animal, he is more likely to die himself, having torn off a cliff. The problem still lies in the fact that the considered individuals gradually lose their habitat. People are increasingly populating territories. Therefore, goats have to go further into the mountains.

Mating season

1. Around the end of autumn, the mating season begins in such animals. Individuals reach puberty at about 3 years.At such a time, they try to join a group of females.
2. To attract a companion, males rub their horns on the bark of trees, leaving a smelling mark. It often happens that 2 males can be killed in a herd. In this case, skirmishes between individuals begin. Males must prove which of them is stronger.

Snow goats are currently on the verge of extinction due to the fact that people inhabit more and more territories. Individuals can only climb higher into the mountains. Unfortunately, natural predators live in this area, and there is not enough plant food. Young birds are often attacked by birds of prey.

Video: Snow Goat (Oreamnos americanus)