Goat
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225927073
2008-07-16T01:33:22Z
Gwernol
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Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/96.255.44.117|96.255.44.117]] ([[User talk:96.255.44.117|talk]]) to last version by 118.100.129.134
{{otheruses4|the domestic species|general information, including mythology and wild species|Capra (genus)}}
{{Otheruses}}
{{Taxobox
| name = Domestic Goat
| status = DOM
| image = Irish Goat.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| classis = [[Mammal]]ia
| ordo = [[even-toed ungulate|Artiodactyla]]
| familia = [[Bovid]]ae
| subfamilia = [[goat antelope|Caprinae]]
| genus = ''[[Capra (genus)|Capra]]''
| species = ''[[Wild Goat|C. aegagrus]]''
| subspecies = '''''C. a. hircus'''''
| trinomial = ''Capra aegagrus hircus''
| trinomial_authority = ([[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1758)
}}
The '''domestic goat''' (''Capra aegagrus hircus'') is a subspecies of goat [[domesticated]] from the [[wild goat]] of [[southwest Asia]] and [[Eastern Europe]]. The goat is a member of the [[Bovidae]] family and is closely related to the [[sheep]], both being in the [[goat antelope]] subfamily [[Caprinae]].
Domestic goats are one of the oldest domesticated species. For thousands of years, goats have been used for their [[milk]], [[meat]], hair, and skins over much of the world.<ref>Coffey, Linda, Margo Hale, and Ann Wells; [http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/goatoverview.html "Goats: Sustainable Production Overview.]</ref> In the last century they have also gained some popularity as [[pet]]s.<ref>McLeod, Lianne; [http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/goats/a/goatsaspets.htm "Goats as Pets"] at About.com.</ref>
Female goats are referred to as ''does'' or ''nannies'', intact males as ''bucks'' or ''billies''; their offspring are ''kids''. [[Castration|Castrated]] males are ''wethers''. Goat meat from younger animals is called ''kid'', and from older animals is sometimes called ''chevon'', or in some areas ''mutton''.
== Etymology ==
The [[Modern English]] word "goat" comes from the [[Old English]] ''gat'' which meant "she-goat", and this in turn derived from [[Proto-Germanic]] ''*gaitaz'' (compare [[Old Norse]] and [[Dutch language|Dutch]] ''geit'(meaning' "goat"), [[German language|German]] ''Geiß' ("she-goat") and [[Gothic language|Gothic]] ''gaits'', ("goat") ultimately from [[Proto-Indo-European language|Proto-Indo-European]] ''*ghaidos'' meaning "young goat" but also "play" (compare Latin ''haedus'' meaning "kid"). The word for "male goat" in Old English was ''bucca'' (which survives as "[[buck]]", meaning certain male herbivores) until a shift to "he-goat" (and also "she-goat") occurred in the late 12th century. "Nanny goat" originated in the 18th century and "billy goat" in the 19th.
[[Image:Amalthea Julien Louvre CC230.jpg|thumb|left|250px|''Amalthée et la chèvre de Jupiter'' ([[Amalthea]] and Jupiter's goat) Commissioned by the [[Queen of France]] in 1787 for the royal dairy at [[Rambouillet]]]]
== History ==
Goats seem to have been first domesticated roughly 10,000 years ago in the [[Zagros]] Mountains of [[Iran]].<ref>anonymous; [http://web.utk.edu/~persian/goat.htm "Goat busters track domestication",] ''Science News'' 8 April 2000.</ref> Ancient cultures began to keep them for easy access to [[milk]], hair, meat, and skins. Domestic goats were generally kept in herds that wandered on hills or other grazing areas, often tended by [[goatherd]]s who were frequently children or [[adolescent]]s, similar to the more widely known [[shepherd]]. These methods of [[herding]] are still used today.
Historically, goat hide has been used for water and [[wine]] bottles in both traveling and transporting wine for sale. It has also been used to produce [[parchment]], which was the most common material used for [[writing]] in Europe until the invention of the [[printing press]].
== Anatomy ==
Most goats naturally have two [[horn (anatomy)|horns]], of various shapes and sizes depending on the breed. While horns are a predominantly male feature, some breeds of goats have horned females. Polled (hornless goats) are not uncommon and there have been incidents of [[polycerate]] goats (having as many as eight horns), although this is a genetic rarity thought to be inherited. Their horns are made of living bone surrounded by [[keratin]] and other [[proteins]] and are used for [[defense]], dominance, and territoriality. <ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=nWCLpQFrdnMC&pg=PA519&dq=dehorning&sig=TtbBS_OKTdUAxfPQnjqo-uttlPk Goat Medicine: Horns]</ref>
Goats are [[ruminants]]. They have a four-chambered stomach consisting of the [[rumen]], the [[reticulum]], the [[omasum]], and the [[abomasum]].
Goats have horizontal slit-shaped [[pupils]], an adaptation which increases [[peripheral vision|peripheral]] [[depth perception]].<ref>''Experiments On The Function Of Slit-Form Pupils'', Toronto Univ. Studies in Psychology v. '''2'''</ref>. Because goats' [[Iris (anatomy)|iris]]es are usually pale, the pupils are much more visible than in animals with horizontal pupils but very dark irises, such as sheep, cattle and most horses.
Both male and female goats have beards, and many types of goats may have [[wattle (anatomy)|wattles]], one dangling from each side of the neck.
Some breeds of sheep and goats appear superficially similar, but goat tails are short and point up, whereas sheep tails hang down and are usually longer (though some are short, and some long ones are [[Docking (animal)|docked]]).
== Reproduction ==
[[Image:Domestic goat kid in capeweed.jpg|thumb|250px|A 2 month old goat kid in a field of capeweed]]
In some climates, goats are able to [[mating|breed]] at any time of the year. In temperate climates and among the Swiss breeds, the breeding season commences as the day length shortens, and ends in early spring. Does of any breed come into [[Estrous cycle|heat]] every 21 days for 2 to 48 hours. A doe in heat typically flags her tail often, stays near the buck if one is present, becomes more vocal, and may also show a decrease in appetite and milk production for the duration of the heat.
[[Image:Goat family.jpg|thumb|250px|A doe and her twin offspring.]]
Bucks (intact males) of Swiss and northern breeds come into [[Rut (mammalian reproduction)|rut]] in the fall as with the doe's heat cycles. Rut is characterized by a decrease in appetite and obsessive interest in the does.
In addition to natural mating, [[artificial insemination]] has gained popularity among goat [[breeder]]s, as it allows easy access to a wide variety of [[bloodline]]s.
[[Gestation]] length is approximately 150 days. [[Twins]] are the usual result, with single and [[multiple birth|triplet]] births also common. Less frequent are litters of [[quadruplet]], [[quintuplet]], and even [[sextuplet]] kids. Birthing, known as ''kidding'', generally occurs uneventfully. Right before kidding the doe will have a sunken area around the tail and hip. Also she will have heavy breathing, a worried look, become restless and show great display of affection for her keeper. The mother often [[placentophagy|eats the placenta]], which gives her much needed nutrients, helps stanch her bleeding, and is believed by some{{Who|date=October 2007}} to reduce the lure of the birth scent for predators.
''Freshening'' (coming into milk production) occurs at kidding. Milk production varies with the breed, age, quality, and diet of the doe; dairy goats generally produce between 660 to 1,800 [[Litre|L]] (1,500 and 4,000 lb) of milk per 305 day [[lactation]]. On average, a good quality dairy doe will give at least 6 lb (2.7 l) of milk per day while she is in milk, although a first time milker may produce less, or as much as 16 lb (7.3 l) or more of milk in exceptional cases. Meat, fiber, and [[pet]] breeds are not usually milked and simply produce enough for the kids until [[weaning]].
== Diet ==
Goats are reputed to be willing to eat almost anything. The digestive systems of a goat allow nearly any organic substance to be broken down and used as nutrients.
[[Image:Domestic goat feeding on capeweed.jpg|thumb|250px|A domestic goat feeding in a field of capeweed, a weed which is toxic to most stock animals]]
Contrary to this reputation, they are quite fastidious in their habits, preferring to browse on the tips of woody shrubs and trees, as well as the occasional broad leaved plant. However, it can fairly be said that goats will eat almost anything in the botanical world. Their plant diet is extremely varied and includes some species which are otherwise toxic<ref>"War on Weeds," ''Rails to Trails Magazine,'' Spring 2004, p. 3</ref> or detrimental to cattle and sheep. This makes them valuable for controlling [[weed|noxious weeds]] and clearing brush and undergrowth.<ref>"War on Weeds," ''Rails to Trails Magazine,'' Spring 2004, p. 3</ref> They will seldom consume soiled food or contaminated water unless facing [[starvation]]. This is one of the reasons why goat rearing is most often [[Free range|free ranging]] since stall-fed goat rearing involves extensive upkeep and is seldom commercially viable.
Goats do not usually consume [[waste|garbage]] or [[clothing]], although they will occasionally eat items made primarily of plant material, which can include wood. They have an intensely inquisitive and intelligent nature: they will explore anything new or unfamiliar in their surroundings. They do so primarily with their [[prehensile]] upper lip and tongue. This is why they investigate items such as buttons, camera cases or clothing (and many other things besides) by nibbling at them, occasionally even eating them.
The digestive physiology of a very young kid (like the young of other [[ruminant]]s) is essentially the same as that of a [[monogastric]] animal. Milk digestion begins in the [[abomasum]], the milk having bypassed the rumen via closure of the reticular/esophageal groove during suckling. At birth the rumen is undeveloped, but as the kid begins to consume solid feed, the rumen soon increases in size and in its capacity to absorb nutrients.
A common [[misconception]] is that goats will eat anything. This is not true at all; in reality they are fastidious eaters and will not even take a bite of something that has fallen onto the ground or that something else has had in its mouth. Goats prefer to graze on [[shrubbery]] and [[weed]]s for food. Goats graze more like deer than sheep, preferring woody shrubs rather than grasses. Mold in a goat's feed can make it sick and possibly kill it. [[Nightshade]] is also poisonous; wilted fruit tree leaves can also kill goats. Goats should not be fed grass with any signs of mold. [[Silage]] (corn stalks) is not good for goats, but haylage can be used if consumed immediately after opening. [[Alfalfa]] is their favorite hay, [[fescue]] the least palatable and least nutritious.
Goats will consume, on average, 4.5 units of dry matter per 100 units of body-weight per day.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}
== Behaviour ==
[[Image:Goats climbing hill.jpg|thumb|250px|Goats climbing a hill to new feeding pastures]]
Goats are extremely curious and intelligent. They are easily [[housebreaking|housebroken]] and trained to pull carts and walk on leads. [[Ches McCartney]], nicknamed "the goat man", toured the [[United States]] for over three decades in a wagon pulled by a herd of pet goats. They are also known for escaping their pens. Goats will test fences, either intentionally or simply because they are handy to climb on. If any of the fencing can be spread, pushed over or down, or otherwise be overcome, the goats will escape. Being very intelligent, once a weakness in the fence has been exploited, it will be repeatedly exploited until they determine it can no longer be overcome. Goats are very coordinated and can climb and hold their balance in the most precarious places. Goats are also widely known for their ability to climb trees, although the tree generally has to be on somewhat of an angle.
== Goat uses ==
[[Image:Tibetan Goat.jpg|thumb|250px|1905 illustration of a Tibetan goat.]]
A goat is useful to humans both alive and dead, first as a renewable provider of milk and fibre, and then as meat and hide. Some [[charitable organization|charities]] provide goats to [[poverty|impoverished]] people in poor countries, because goats are easier and cheaper to manage than [[cattle]], and have multiple uses. In addition, goats are used for driving and packing purposes.
For instance, the intestine is used to make "[[catgut]]", which is still in use as a material for internal human [[suture]]s. The horn of the goat, which signifies wellbeing ([[Cornucopia]]) is also used to make [[spoon]]s etc.<ref>anonymous; [http://www.mnh.si.edu/lookingbothways/data/objects/36.html Goat-Horn Spoon].</ref>
[[Image:Boerbok.jpg|thumb|250px|The [[Boer goat]] - in this case a buck - is a widely-kept meat breed.]]
=== Meat ===
The taste of goat meat is similar to that of [[domestic sheep|lamb]] meat; in fact, in the English-speaking islands of the [[Caribbean]], and in some parts of Asia, particularly [[India]], the word "mutton" is used to describe both goat and lamb meat. However, some feel that it has a similar taste to [[veal]] or [[venison]], depending on the age and condition of the goat. It can be prepared in a variety of ways including [[stewed]], [[curry|curried]], [[baked]], [[Grilling|grilled]], [[barbecue]]d, [[minced]], [[canning|canned]], or made into [[sausage]]. Goat [[Jerky (food)|jerky]] is also another popular variety. In India, the rice-preparation of mutton [[biryani]] uses goat meat as its primary ingredients to produce a rich taste. "Curry goat" is a traditional [[West Indies|West Indian]] dish.
Goat meat is lower than [[lamb (meat)|mutton]] in fat and [[cholesterol]], and comparable to [[chicken]]. It also has more minerals than chicken, and is lower in total and [[saturated fat]]s than many other meats. One reason for the leanness is that goats do not accumulate fat deposits or "marbling" in their muscles.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} Goat meat, sometimes called chevon, is often cooked slowly and at low temperatures. It is popular in the [[Middle East]], [[South Asia]], Africa, northeastern [[Brazil]], the [[West Indies]], and [[Belize]].
Other parts of the goat including organs are also edible including the [[brain]] and [[liver]]. The head and legs of the goat may be [[smoked]] and used to prepare [[spice|spicy]] dishes and [[soup]].
One of the most popular goats grown for meat is the South African Boer, introduced into the United States in the early 1990s. The New Zealand Kiko is also considered a meat breed, as is the [[Fainting goat|Myotonic or "fainting goat"]], a breed originating in Tennessee.
=== Milk, butter and cheese ===
[[Image:Geitenmelk.jpg|thumb|200px|A goat being milked]]
Some goats are bred for [[milk]], which can be drunk fresh, although [[pasteurization]] is recommended to reduce naturally occurring bacteria such as ''[[Staphylococcus aureus]]'' and ''[[Escherichia coli]]''.<ref>Ekici, K, &alii; [http://www.pjbs.org/pjnonline/fin199.pdf "Isolation of Some Pathogens from Raw Milk of Different Milch Animals",] ''Pakistan Journal of Nutrition'' v 3 (2004) #3, pp 161-162.</ref> If the strong-smelling buck is not separated from the does, his scent will affect the milk. Goat's milk is commonly processed into [[cheese]], goat [[butter]], [[ice cream]], [[cajeta]] and other products.
Goat's milk can replace cow's milk in diets of those who are allergic to cow's milk.<ref name="WHFoods">The World's Healthiest Foods. [http://www.whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=131 "Milk, goat."]</ref> However, like cow's milk, goat's milk has [[lactose]] (sugar) and may cause gastrointestinal problems for individuals with [[lactose intolerance]].<ref name="WHFoods"/>
Goat's milk is naturally [[homogenized]], which means the cream remains suspended in the milk, instead of rising to the top, as in raw cow's milk.
Many dairy goats, in their prime, average 6 to 8 pounds of milk daily (roughly 3 to 4 quarts) during a ten-month [[lactation]], producing more after freshening and gradually dropping in production toward the end of their lactation. The milk generally averages 3.5 percent [[butterfat]]. A doe may be expected to reach her heaviest production during her third or fourth lactation.<ref>[http://www.adga.org American Dairy Goat Association]</ref> It is also said that "formula derived from goat's milk is unsuitable for babies who are lactose intolerant as it contains levels of lactose similar to cow's-milk-based infant formulae."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.info.doh.gov.uk/doh/embroadcast.nsf/vwDiscussionAll/1BDFD19113CFC28C802571D20051E715 |title=
WITHDRAWAL FROM SALE OF INFANTS MILKS BASED ON GOATS' MILK ON 17 SEPTEMBER 2006
|accessdate=2007-08-12 |author= Professor Martin Marshall - Deputy Chief Medical Officer - Department of Health|date=[[22 August]] [[2006]]|format=HTML|work=non-urgent memo |publisher= Department of Health|language= english}}</ref>
Goat [[butter]] is white because goats produce milk with the yellow [[beta-carotene]] converted to a colorless form of vitamin A.
[[Goat's milk cheese|Goat cheese]] is known as ''chèvre'' in France, after the [[French language|French]] word for "goat". Some varieties include [[Rocamadour (cheese)|Rocamadour]] and Montrachet.<ref>[http://web.foodnetwork.com/food/web/encyclopedia/termdetail/0,7770,1237,00.html Encyclopedia<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
=== Fiber ===
[[Image:Angora 001.jpg|thumb|250px|An [[Angora goat]]]]
Some goats are bred for the [[fiber]] from their coats. Most goats have softer insulating hairs nearer the skin, and longer [[guard hairs]] on the surface. The desirable fiber for the [[textile industry]] is the former, and it goes by several names (mohair, fleece, goat wool, cashmere, ''etc.'', explained below). The coarse guard hairs are of no value as a fiber since they cannot be spun or dyed. The proportion and texture varies between [[breeds]], and has been a target of [[selective breeding]] for millennia.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
The [[Cashmere goat]] produces a fiber, [[cashmere wool]], which is one of the most expensive in the world. It is very fine and soft. Most goats produce cashmere fiber to some degree, however the Cashmere goat has been specially bred to produce a much higher amount of it, with fewer [[guard hair]]s.
The Angora breed of goats produces long, curling, lustrous locks of [[mohair]]. The entire body of the goat is covered with mohair and there are no guard hairs. The locks constantly grow and can be four inches or more in length. Angora crossbreeds, such as the [[pygora]] and the [[Nigora goat|nigora]], have been created to produce [[mohair]] and/or [[cashmere wool]] in a smaller, easier-to-manage animal.
Goats do not have to be [[slaughter]]ed to harvest the wool, which is instead [[shear|shorn]] (cut from the body) in the case of Angora goats, or combed, in the case of Cashmere goats. However, the Angora goat usually gets shorn twice a year with an average yield of about 10 pounds while the Cashmere goat grows its fiber once a year and it takes about a week to comb out by hand, yielding only about 4 ounces.
[[Image:Goatshearing.jpg|thumb|right|An Angora goat being shorn]]
The fiber is made into products such as sweaters and doll's hair. Both cashmere and mohair are warmer per ounce than most other types of [[wool]] and are not as scratchy or itchy or as allergenic as wool. Both fibers command a higher price than other types of wool.
In [[South Asia]], cashmere is called "pashmina" (from [[Persian language|Persian]] ''pashmina'', "fine wool") and these goats are called [[pashmina]] goats (these well-fleeced animals are often mistaken for sheep). Since these goats actually belong to the upper [[Kashmir]] and [[Ladakh]] region, their wool came to be known as "cashmere" in the West. The pashmina [[shawl]]s of Kashmir, with their intricate embroidery, are very famous.
== Goat breeds ==
[[Image:Pygmy Goat At Las Vegas Zoo.JPG|thumb|right|[[Pygmy goat]] at the [[Las Vegas Zoo]]]]
Goat breeds fall into somewhat overlapping, general categories.
=== Feral ===
* [[Auckland Island Goat]] (extinct)
* British feral goat
* [[San Clemente Island goats]]
=== Dairy ===
* Alpine: French Alpine,British Alpine,American Alpine
* [[Anglo-Nubian]] or, in the United States, simply "Nubian". This breed is considered a dual-purpose milk and meat breed in some areas.
* [[Golden Guernsey]]
* Jamnapari (considered dual-purpose)
* [[La Mancha (goat)|La Mancha]]
* [[Nigerian Dwarf (goat)|Nigerian Dwarf]]
* [[Oberhasli (goat)|Oberhasli]]
* Rove
* [[Saanen goat|Saanen]]
* [[Sable Saanen]]
* [[Stiefelgeiss]]
* [[Toggenburg (goat)|Toggenburg]]
* [[Kinder (goat)|Kinder]]
* [[Canary Islands|Canarian]] goats: [[Majorera]] (Island of [[Fuerteventura]]), Palmera (Island of La Palma), etc.
[[Image:U Wash - goats 03.jpg|thumb|250px|Herds may be rented out to enact brush (scrub) control, as with this herd "hired" to clear [[blackberry]] brambles from the [[University of Washington]] campus.]]
=== Fiber ===
* [[Angora goat|Angora]]
* [[Australian Cashmere Goat]]
* [[Changthangi|Cashmere]]
* [[Pygora Goat|Pygora]]
* [[Nigora goat|Nigora]]
=== Meat ===
* [[Boer goat|Boer]]
* [[Kiko goat|Kiko]]
* [[Rove goat|Rove]]
* [[Spanish goat|Spanish]]
* [[Stiefelgeiss]]
* [[Fainting goat|Fainting]]
* [[Pygmy goat|Pygmy]]
* GeneMaster
* [[Kalahari Red]]
* Savanna
=== Companion ===
* [[Pygmy goat|Pygmy]]
* [[Nigerian Dwarf]]
* Australian Miniature Goat
=== Skin ===
* [[Black Bengal]]
== Showing ==
[[Image:NigerianDwarfDairyGoat.jpg|thumb|250px|A [[Nigerian Dwarf]] milker in show clip. This doe is angular and dairy with a capacious and well supported mammary system.]]
Goat [[breeder]]s' clubs frequently hold [[show (animal)|shows]], where goats are judged on traits relating to [[conformation]], [[udder]] quality, evidence of high production, longevity, build and muscling (meat goats and pet goats) and fiber production and the fiber itself (fiber goats). People who show their goats usually keep registered stock and the offspring of award-winning animals command a higher price. Registered goats, in general, are usually higher-priced if for no other reason than that records have been kept proving their ancestry and the production and other data of their sires, dams, and other ancestors. A registered doe is usually less of a gamble than buying a doe at random (as at an auction or sale barn) because of these records and the reputation of the breeder.
Children's clubs such as [[4-H]] also allow goats to be shown. Children's shows often include a [[showmanship]] class, where the cleanliness and presentation of both the animal and the exhibitor as well as the handler's ability and skill in handling the goat are scored. In a showmanship class, conformation is irrelevant since this is not what is being judged.
Various "Dairy Goat Scorecards" (milking does) are systems used for judging shows in the US. The American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA) scorecard for an adult doe includes a point system of a hundred total with major categories that include general appearance, the dairy character of a doe (physical traits that aid and increase milk production), body capacity, and specifically for the mammary system. Young stock and bucks are judged by different scorecards which place more emphasis on the other three categories; general appearance, body capacity, and dairy character.
[[The American Goat Society]] (AGS)] has a similar, but not identical scorecard that is used in their shows. The miniature dairy goats may be judged by either of the two scorecards. The "Angora Goat scorecard" used by the [[Colored Angora Goat Breeder's Association]] or CAGBA (which covers the white and the colored goats) includes evaluation of an animal's fleece color, density, uniformity, fineness, and general body confirmation. Disqualifications include: a deformed mouth, broken down [[pastern]]s, deformed feet, crooked legs, abnormalities of testicles, missing testicles, more than 3 inch split in scrotum, and close-set or distorted horns.
== Goats in folklore and mythology ==
Since its inception, [[Christianity]] has associated [[Satan]] with imagery of goats (see [[Pan (mythology)]]). A common [[superstition]] in the [[Middle Ages]] was that goats whispered lewd sentences in the ears of the [[saint]]s. The origin of this belief was probably the behavior of the buck in [[estrus cycle|rut]], the very epitome of lust. The common medieval depiction of [[devil|the Devil]] was that of a goat like face with horns and small beard (a [[goatee]]). The [[Black Mass]], a probably-mythological "Satanic mass," was said to involve a black goat, the form in which Satan supposedly manifested himself for worship.
The goat has had a lingering connection with [[Satanism]] and [[paganism|pagan]] [[religion]]s, even into modern times. The [[pentagram]], a symbol used by Satanism, is said to be shaped like a goat's head. The "[[Baphomet]] of [[Mendes]]" refers to a satanic goat-like figure from 19th century [[occult]]ism.
According to [[Norse mythology]], the god of thunder, [[Thor]], has a [[chariot]] that is pulled by several goats. At night when he sets up camp, Thor will eat the meat of the goats, but take care that all bones remain whole. Then he wraps the remains up, and in the morning, the goats will always come back to life to pull the chariot. When a mortal who is invited to share the meal breaks one of the goats' legs to suck the marrow however, the animal's leg remain broken in the morning, and the mortal is forced to serve Thor as a servant to compensate for the damage.
The goat is one of the twelve-year cycle of animals which appear in the [[Chinese zodiac]] related to the [[Chinese calendar]]. Each animal is associated with certain personality traits; those born in a year of the goat are predicted to be shy, introverted, creative, and perfectionist. See [[Sheep (zodiac)]].
Several mythological hybrid creatures are believed to consist of parts of the goat, including the [[Chimera (mythology)|Chimera]] .
The [[Capricornus|Capricorn]] sign in the Western [[zodiac]] is usually depicted as a goat with a [[fish]]'s tail.
[[Faun]]s and [[satyr]]s are mythological creatures that are part goat and part human.
The mineral [[bromine]] is named from the Greek word "brόmos," which means "stench of he-goats."
== In religion ==
[[Image:TheScapegoat-WilliamHolmanHunt.jpg|thumb|''The Scapegoat'' by [[William Holman Hunt]] (1854).]]
Goats are mentioned many times in the [[Bible]]. A goat is considered a "clean" animal by [[Kosher|Jewish dietary laws]] and was slaughtered for an honored guest. It was also acceptable for some kinds of sacrifices. Goat-hair curtains were used in the tent that contained the tabernacle ([[Exodus]] 25:4). On [[Yom Kippur]], the festival of the Day of Atonement, two goats were chosen and lots were drawn for them. One was sacrificed and the other allowed to escape into the wilderness, symbolically carrying with it the sins of the community. From this comes the word "[[scapegoat]]". A leader or king was sometimes compared to a male goat leading the flock. In the [[New Testament]], [[Jesus]] told a [[parable]] of [[The Sheep and the Goats]]. ([[Gospel of Matthew]] 25)
Goats are also often prevalent in Satanic and occult imagery.
==Feral goats==
{{Main article|Feral goat}}
Domestic goats have established themselves in the wild in many places in the world. Feral goats occur in [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]], [[Great Britain]], the [[Galapagos]] and in many other parts of the world. When feral goats reach large populations in habitats which are not adapted to them, they may have serious negative effects, such as removing native [[scrubland|scrub]], [[tree]]s and other vegetation. However, in other circumstances they may become a natural component of the habitat.
==References==
<references />
== See also ==
*[[Sheep]]
*[[Livestock]]
*[[Pygmy goat]]
*[[Yule goat]]
*[[Gävle goat]]
*[[Human-goat sexual intercourse]]
== External links ==
{{Commonscat|Goats}}
* [http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/goats/ Goat breeds]
* [http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/library/Goats.html Goat resources]
* [http://goatseeker.com/guides/goat-care-and-feeding Goat care and feeding guide]
* [http://members.aol.com/RVSNorton/Lincoln33.html Abraham Lincoln's sons kept pet goats inside the White House]
* [http://www.adga.org/ The American Dairy Goat Association Home Page]
[[Category:Goat's-milk cheeses]]
[[Category:Goats| ]]
[[Category:Livestock]]
[[Category:Meat]]
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[[ln:Ntaba]]
[[hu:Házikecske]]
[[ml:ആട്]]
[[ms:Kambing]]
[[mn:Ямаа]]
[[nl:Geit]]
[[ja:ヤギ]]
[[no:Geit]]
[[nn:Geit]]
[[nrm:Biche]]
[[oc:Cabra]]
[[pl:Koza domowa]]
[[pt:Cabra]]
[[ro:Capră]]
[[qu:Kawra]]
[[sk:Koza domáca]]
[[sl:Domača koza]]
[[sr:Коза]]
[[fi:Vuohi]]
[[sv:Tamget]]
[[tl:Kambing]]
[[ta:ஆடு]]
[[th:แพะ]]
[[tr:Keçi]]
[[yi:ציג]]
[[zh:家山羊]]