The goat or domestic goat is a species of domesticated goat-antelope that is mostly kept as livestock. Goats are said to be one of the oldest domesticated species of animal.
Goats have been used for milk, meat, fur, and skins across much of the world. Milk from goats is often turned into goat cheese.
Goats are browsing herbivores animals, meaning they eat the leaves, soft shoots, or fruits of high-growing plants, shrubs and trees.
Goats need a carefully balanced diet of high-quality hay, grass, ‘browsings’, and additional supplements.
Goats are naturally curious. They are also agile and well known for their ability to climb and balance in precarious places. This makes them the only ruminant to regularly climb trees. Due to their agility and inquisitiveness, they are notorious for escaping their pens by testing fences and enclosures, either intentionally or simply because they are used to climbing.
Goats reach puberty between three and 15 months of age, depending on breed and nutritional status. Doe may be mated when 10 to 15 months old so that they kid at the age of 15 to 20 months. But as a rule a goat should not be mated until it is one year old.
The life expectancy for goats is between 15 and 18 years if not eaten or killed.
Major predators for goats and sheep’s are coyotes and dogs, but for younger ones, foxes, bobcats, vultures, or even raccoons can be problems as well.
Goats contribute to healthy environment by keeping wildlife corridors open, preventing the spread of noxious weeds, and promoting the growth of local vegetative species through moderate grazing.
In Sumerian myth, goats belonged to Marduk, the ancient god of magic and patron deity of Babylon, and were regarded as potent, uncanny beings due to this association.
The three Billy Goats and the Troll
One upon a time, three billy goats lived in a valley, all named “Gruff.” There is very little grass in the valley, so they must cross a river to get to “sæter” (a mountain pasture) to graze and fatten themselves up. But under the bridge lives a fearsome and hideous troll who kills and eats everyone who tries to cross.
So they devised a means to get to the valley all safe.
The smallest billy goat goes first. The troll stopped him and threatened to “gobble him up!” The little goat told the troll he should wait for his big brother to cross, because he is larger and would make for a more gratifying feast. The greedy troll agreed and let the smallest goat pass.
Then the medium-sized billy goat approached the bridge. He is more cautious than his brother, but the troll stopped him too. The second goat convinced the troll to wait for their eldest brother, the largest of the three, and the troll let him pass as well.
Then the largest billy goat steps on to the bridge and meets the troll waiting to devour him. The largest goat then challenged him to fight and then throws him into the water with his horns.
The troll drowned in the stream, and from then on the bridge became safe. The three billy goats went to eat in the rich fields around the summer farm in the hills, and live happily ever after.
