The domestic goat makes up one of the subspecies of the wild goat to have been domesticated in southwest Asia and Eastern Europe. The close relation between goats and sheep is because they both are in the goat-antelope family named caprinae. Deductions from research indicate existence of over 300 different breeds of goats. These large numbers are an indication of their widespread existence in the entire world. They are present all continents and states. When in search of Goats for sale Santa Cruz County should be given priority.
The name goat has its origin in the 12th century or earlier and has changed over the centuries. Currently, a male goat is referred to as billy goat, a term that came into existence in the 19th century. The predecessor for billy goat is hegoote. A female goat is on the other hand referred to as a she goat. This term did not exist until the 18th century when it replaced the term she goat, which was in use previously.
Historically, goats are revealed to have been among the earliest animals to be brought under the domestication of man. Available archeological evidence point to the effect that current domesticated goat descended from the Bezoar ibex of Zagros Mountains. Neolithic man began the domestication of goats as a way of easily accessing milk and meat. Their dung was used for fuel as their hide, hair, and bones were used for clothing. The domestication of goat is thought to date back some 8000 to 9000 years.
Naturally, they are two-horned animals, but isolated cases of polyceerate, a case study of a goat having 8 horns have been reported. This situation is rare in genetics, with researchers suspecting it to be inherited. Cases of polled bucks or does to be successfully bred have turned out to be harder to achieve unlike in cattle. The cause reason behind this is the close link in the genes that determine sex and the genes that are responsible for horns.
Every breed of goat is ruminant. As such, they have four-chambered stomachs comprising of omasum, rumen, abomasum, and reticulum. Udders which occur in females have two teats and not four like in cattle. The Boer goat is an exception is this, since it may have up to 8 teats on its udder.
Pupils in a goat are slit-shaped and horizontal. The eyes have pale irises, which makes them more noticeable than those of sheep, most horses, deer, and cattle. Beards also occur in most breeds of goats, with some having wattles that dangle from either ear. The legs are usually evenly toed, which makes them even-toed ungulates.
Most breeds reach puberty at the age of 15 months. How fast the animal reaches puberty may depend on how it is fed and its breed. Does come into estrus after a period of 21 days every month. The estrus lasts between two and 48 hours. Does in heat wag their tails vigorously and stay near bucks if present. They also become more vocal and milk production goes down.
Naturally, goats are not grazers as they are browsers. Interestingly, these curious animals are known to taste anything prior to deciding whether to proceed with consuming it or not. Their strong sense of smell guides them to anything in the shape of a plant.
The name goat has its origin in the 12th century or earlier and has changed over the centuries. Currently, a male goat is referred to as billy goat, a term that came into existence in the 19th century. The predecessor for billy goat is hegoote. A female goat is on the other hand referred to as a she goat. This term did not exist until the 18th century when it replaced the term she goat, which was in use previously.
Historically, goats are revealed to have been among the earliest animals to be brought under the domestication of man. Available archeological evidence point to the effect that current domesticated goat descended from the Bezoar ibex of Zagros Mountains. Neolithic man began the domestication of goats as a way of easily accessing milk and meat. Their dung was used for fuel as their hide, hair, and bones were used for clothing. The domestication of goat is thought to date back some 8000 to 9000 years.
Naturally, they are two-horned animals, but isolated cases of polyceerate, a case study of a goat having 8 horns have been reported. This situation is rare in genetics, with researchers suspecting it to be inherited. Cases of polled bucks or does to be successfully bred have turned out to be harder to achieve unlike in cattle. The cause reason behind this is the close link in the genes that determine sex and the genes that are responsible for horns.
Every breed of goat is ruminant. As such, they have four-chambered stomachs comprising of omasum, rumen, abomasum, and reticulum. Udders which occur in females have two teats and not four like in cattle. The Boer goat is an exception is this, since it may have up to 8 teats on its udder.
Pupils in a goat are slit-shaped and horizontal. The eyes have pale irises, which makes them more noticeable than those of sheep, most horses, deer, and cattle. Beards also occur in most breeds of goats, with some having wattles that dangle from either ear. The legs are usually evenly toed, which makes them even-toed ungulates.
Most breeds reach puberty at the age of 15 months. How fast the animal reaches puberty may depend on how it is fed and its breed. Does come into estrus after a period of 21 days every month. The estrus lasts between two and 48 hours. Does in heat wag their tails vigorously and stay near bucks if present. They also become more vocal and milk production goes down.
Naturally, goats are not grazers as they are browsers. Interestingly, these curious animals are known to taste anything prior to deciding whether to proceed with consuming it or not. Their strong sense of smell guides them to anything in the shape of a plant.
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