Mountain goat 619020 224414735 2008-07-08T19:16:08Z Altaileopard 1381508 wikilink {{Citations missing|date=October 2007}} {{dablink|"Rocky Mountain Goat" and "Mountain Goats" redirect here. For other meanings see [[Mountain Goat (disambiguation)]].}} {{Taxobox | name = Mountain Goat | status = LR/lc | image = Mountain_Goat_USFWS.jpg | image_width = 290px | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordata]] | classis = [[Mammal]]ia | ordo = [[Artiodactyla]] | familia = [[Bovidae]] | subfamilia = [[Caprinae]] | genus = ''[[Oreamnos]]'' | genus_authority = [[Constantine Samuel Rafinesque-Schmaltz|Rafinesque]], 1817 | species = '''''O. americanus''''' | binomial = ''Oreamnos americanus'' | binomial_authority = ([[Henri Marie Ducrotay de Blainville|Blainville]], [[1816]]) }} The '''Mountain Goat''' (''[[Oreamnos]] americanus''), also known as the '''Rocky Mountain Goat''', is a large-hoofed mammal found only in [[North America]]. Despite its name, it is not a true [[goat]], as it belongs to a different genus. It resides at high elevations and is a sure-footed climber, often resting on rocky cliffs that predators cannot reach. ==Classification== The mountain goat is an even-toed [[ungulate]] of the order [[Artiodactyla]] and the family ''[[Bovidae]]'' that includes [[antelopes]] and [[cattle]]. It belongs to the subfamily [[Caprinae]], along with thirty-two other species including true [[goat]]s, [[sheep]], the [[chamois]] and the [[musk ox]]. The mountain goat is the only species in the genus ''[[Oreamnos]]''. The name ''Oreamnos'' is derived from the Greek term ''oros'' (stem ''ore-'') 'mountain' (or, alternatively, ''oreas'' 'mountain nymph') and the word ''amnos'' 'lamb'. ==General appearance and characteristics== [[Image:Mountain Goat on Mount Huron in Colorado image 1.jpg|thumb|left|270px|Photo taken from Huron Peak, Colorado]] Both [[male]] and [[female]] mountain goats have beards, short tails, and long black horns, 15-28 cm in length, which contain yearly growth rings. They are protected from the elements by their woolly white double coats. The fine, dense wool of their undercoats is covered by an outer layer of longer, hollow hairs. In warmer seasons, mountain goats moult by rubbing against rocks and trees, with the adult '''billies''' (males) shedding their extra wool first and the pregnant '''nannies''' (females) shedding last. In the winter, their coats help them to withstand temperatures as low as -50 Fahrenheit (-46 Celsius) and winds of up to 100 mph (161 km/h). A billy stands about one meter (3'3") at the shoulder to the waist. Male goats also have longer horns and a longer beard than nannies. Mountain goats typically weigh between 45 and 136 kg (100 - 300 lb.);<ref>National Geographic [http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/mountain-goat.html Mountain Goat Profile]. animals.nationalgeographic.com. Retrieved on: [[December 29]], [[2007]].</ref> females are usually 10-30% lighter than males. The mountain goat's feet are well-suited for climbing steep, rocky slopes, sometimes with pitches of 60 degrees or more, with inner pads that provide traction and [[Cloven-hoof|cloven hooves]] that can spread apart as needed. [[Dewclaw]]s on the back of their feet also help to keep them from slipping. ==Range and habitat== [[Image:Oreamnos americanus 21073.JPG|thumb|left|260px|[[Mount Rainier National Park]]]] The mountain goat inhabits the [[Rocky Mountains]] and [[Cascade Mountain Range]] regions of North America, from northern [[Washington]], [[Idaho]] and [[Montana]] through [[British Columbia]] and [[Alberta]], into the southern [[Yukon]] and southeastern [[Alaska]]. Its northernmost range is said to be along the northern fringe of the [[Chugach Mountains]] in southcentral Alaska. Transplanted populations can also be found in such areas as [[Wyoming]], [[Utah]], [[Nevada]], [[Oregon]], [[Colorado]], [[South Dakota]] and the [[Olympic Peninsula]] of Washington. Mountain goats are the largest mammals found in their high-altitude habitats, which reach elevations of 3,000 meters or more. Although they sometimes descend to sea level in coastal areas, they are primarily an [[alpine climate|alpine]] and [[subalpine]] species. Throughout the year, the animals usually stay above the [[tree line]], but they will migrate seasonally to higher or lower elevations within that range. Summertime migrations to low-elevation [[mineral licks]] often take them several or more kilometers through forested areas. == Movement patterns == [[Image:Mountain goat - artificial salt lick.jpg|thumb|right|An unusual salt lick]] Daily movements by individual mountain goats are primarily confined to areas on the same mountain face, drainage basin, or alpine opening. Daily movements reflect an individual’s needs for foraging, resting, [[thermoregulation]] and security from predators or disturbance. Seasonal movements primarily reflect nutritional needs (e.g., movements to and from mineral licks/[[salt lick]]), reproductive needs (i.e., movement of pre-parturient females to “kidding” areas; movement to rutting areas), and climatic influences (i.e., movement to areas in response to foraging conditions). In general, seasonal movements are likely to exhibit a strong elevational component, whereby lower, forested elevations are used during the spring-summer (security cover effects) to access lower elevation mineral licks, and during winter (thermal cover effects) to access forage. The farthest movements are expected to be by dispersing mountain goats. Such movements are likely to involve mountain goats crossing forested valleys as they move between mountain blocks. [[Image:Mountain Goat on Mount Huron in Colorado Image 2.jpg|thumb|left|260px|Mountain Goat near the summit of Huron Peak, Colorado - Elevation: 4,269 meters]] ==Life cycle and breeding== In the wild, mountain goats usually live twelve to fifteen years, with their lifespan limited by the wearing down of their teeth. In zoos, however, they can live for sixteen to twenty years. '''Kids''' are born in the spring (late May or early June) after a six month gestation period. Nannies give birth, usually to a single offspring, after moving to an isolated ledge; post-partum, they lick the baby dry and ingest the [[placenta]]. Kids weigh a little over 3 kg (about 7 lb) at birth and begin to run and climb (or attempt to do so) within hours. Although they are mostly weaned within one month, kids follow their mothers closely for the first year of life (or until the nanny gives birth again, if this does not occur the next breeding season); nannies protect their young by leading them out of danger, standing over them when faced by predators, and positioning themselves below their kids on steep slopes to stop free falls. Mountain goats reach sexual maturity at about thirty months. Nannies in a herd undergo synchronized [[estrus]] in late October through early December, at which time males and females participate in a mating ritual. Mature billies will stare at nannies for long periods, dig rutting pits, and fight each other in showy (though occasionally dangerous) scuffles. Young billies sometimes try to participate, but they are ignored by nannies; nannies will also sometimes pursue inattentive billies. Both males and females usually mate with multiple individuals during breeding season, although some billies try to keep other males away from certain nannies. After the breeding season is over, males and females move away from each other, with the adult billies breaking up into small bands of two or three individuals. Nannies form loose-knit nursery groups of up to 50 animals. [[Image:glacier national park mountain goats.jpg|thumb|right|300px|A kid and a billy in [[Glacier National Park (U.S.)]].]] ==Aggressive behavior== Nannies can be very competitive and protective of their space and food sources. They will fight with one another for dominance in conflicts that can ultimately include all the nannies in the herd. In these battles, nannies will circle each other with their heads lowered, showing off their horns. As with fights between billies during breeding season, these conflicts can occasionally lead to injury or even death, but they are largely harmless. To avoid fighting, an animal may show a posture of non-aggression by stretching low to the ground. In lower regions below the tree line, nannies also use their fighting abilities to protect themselves and their offspring from predators, such as [[wolf|wolves]], [[wolverine]]s, [[cougar]]s, [[lynx]] and [[bear]]s. Even though their size protects them from most potential predators in higher altitudes, nannies still must defend their young from [[golden eagle]]s, which can be a threat to very young kids. Nannies have even been observed trying to dominate the more passive [[bighorn sheep]] that share some of their territory. ==Diet== [[Image:Mountain-Goats-Near-Alpine-Junction-WY-March-2008.jpg|thumb|left|260px|[[Alpine Junction]], [[WY]]]] Although they have gained notoriety for their shows of aggression, mountain goats spend most of their time quietly grazing. Their diet includes [[grass]]es, [[herb]]s, [[Cyperaceae|sedge]]s, [[fern]]s, [[moss]], [[lichen]], twigs and leaves from the low-growing shrubs and [[conifer]]s of their high-altitude habitat. In captivity, the mountain goat's diet can also include grain, [[alfalfa]], fruits and vegetables. ==References== <references /> * {{IUCN2006|assessors=Caprinae Specialist Group|year=1996|id=42680|title=Oreamnos americanus|downloaded=12 May 2006}} * {{ITIS|ID=180713|taxon=Oreamnos americanus|year=2006|date=18 March}} * A.W.F. Banfield (1974). ''The Mammals of Canada''. University of Toronto Press. ISBN 0-8020-2137-9 * D. Chadwick (1983). A Beast the Color of Winter - The Mountain Goat Observed. Sierra Club Books. San Francisco. 208 p. * Loyal J. Johnson (1994) [http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/pubs/notebook/biggame/mtn_goat.php Alaska Department of Fish & Game ==See also== {{commons|Oreamnos americanus|Mountain goat}} * [[Goat antelope]] ==External links== *[http://depts.washington.edu/natmap/facts/mountain_goat_712.html Mountain Goat Facts and Photos] - NatureMapping Program *[http://www.geocities.com/bilnv/animals/mountaingoat2.html Photos of wild Mountain Goats in Nevada.] {{Artiodactyla|R.3}} {{North American Game}} [[Category:Caprids]] [[Category:Mammals of Canada]] [[Category:Mammals of the United States]] [[Category:Fauna of Montana]] [[cs:Kamzík bělák]] [[de:Schneeziege]] [[es:Oreamnos americanus]] [[eo:Oreamno]] [[fr:Chèvre des montagnes rocheuses]] [[it:Oreamnos americanus]] [[ka:თოვლა თხა]] [[lt:Snieginė ožka]] [[hu:Havasi kecske]] [[nl:Sneeuwgeit]] [[ja:マウンテンゴート]] [[pl:Kozioł śnieżny]] [[pt:Oreamnos americanus]] [[ru:Снежная коза]] [[fi:Lumivuohi]] [[sv:Snöget]] [[zh:雪羊]]