Goat

: ''This article is about goats, the animals. For the web comic, see Goats (comic).'' A goat is an animal in the genus ''Capra'', which consists of nine species: the Ibex, the West Caucasian Tur, the East Caucasian Tur, the Markhor, and the Wild Goat. The animal most commonly known as a "goat" is the domestic goat (''Capra aegagrus hircus''), a domesticated subspecies of the Wild Goat. Goats are bovines (members of the family ''Bovidae'') and are related to cows and antelopes. They are widely scattered throughout Eurasia and Africa. A male goat is called a ''buck'' or ''billy'', and a female is called a ''doe''. Young goats are called ''kids''. The Rocky Mountain Goat, despite its name, is not considered a true goat by scientists as it belongs to the genus ''Oreamnos''. ==Species and subspecies== *Wild Goat (also "Bezoar Goat" or "Pasang"; ''Capra aegagrus'') **Domestic goat (''Capra aegagrus hircus'') **Kri-kri (also "Cretan goat," "Agrimi," or "Cretan Ibex"; ''Capra aegagrus creticus'') *West Caucasian Tur (''Capra caucasia'') *East Caucasian Tur (''Capra cylindricornis'') *Cashmere goat (''Capra hircus'') *Markhor (''Capra falconeri'') **Bukharan Markhor (''Capra falconeri heptneri'') **Chialtan Markhor (''Capra falconeri chialtanensis'') **Straight-horned Markhor (''Capra falconeri megaceros'') **Suleman Markhor (''Capra falconeri jerdoni'') *Alpine Ibex (''Capra ibex'') **Four subspecies **''Capra ibex ibex'' **Nubian Ibex (''Capra ibex nubiana'', also classified as separate species) **Asiatic Ibex (''Capra ibex sibirica'', also classified as separate species) *Nubian Ibex (''Capra nubiana'') *Spanish Ibex (''Capra pyrenaica'') **Three subspecies **Pyrenean Ibex (extinct; ''Capra pyrenaica pyrenaica'') **Portuguese Ibex (extinct; ''Capra pyrenaica lusitanica'') *Siberian Ibex (''Capra sibirica'') *Walia Ibex (''Capra walie'') *Asiatic Ibex (''Capra sibirica'') ==Domestication and Uses== : ''Main article: Domestic goat'' Along with sheep, goats were among the first domesticated animals, the domestication process starting at least 10,000 years ago. Easy human access to goat hair, meat, and milk were the primary motivations. Goat skins were popularly used until the Middle Ages for water and wine bottles when traveling and camping and as parchment for writing in certain regions. The meat and milk of goats is still consumed, though not as commonly in the United States as in other regions of the world. Goat skin is still used to make kid gloves and other items of clothing. Certain breeds of goat produce a wool that can be made into sweaters and other wool items. ==Similarity to Sheep== The goat is closely related to the sheep, but differs from it in that the tail is shorter and the hollow horns are long and directed upward, backward, and outward while those of the sheep are spirally twisted. Unlike sheep, goats are equally suitable for herd and individual rearing. They are also much more lively than sheep and their inquisitive nature makes them curious pets. ==Behavior== Goats are extremely curious and intelligent. They are known for escaping their pens and getting into mischief. Goats are also widely known for their ability to climb trees, although the tree generally has to be on somewhat of an angle. They may also jump on parked automobiles. It is a stereotype that goats eat everything; this probably arises from the fact that they tend to chew (but not eat) almost anything. Goats prefer to browse shrubbery and weeds for food. ==Goats in Folklore and Mythology== Since its inception, Christianity has associated goats with Satan. A common superstition in the Middle Ages was that goats whispered lewd sentences in the ears of the saints. The origin of this belief was probably the size of the male goat's phallus, which is unusually large. At those times, the depiction of a devil in the dark ages was generally 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, a form in which Satan supposedly manifested himself for worship. The goat has had a lingering connection with Satanism and pagan religions, even into modern times. The pentagram, a symbol used by both Satanism and Wicca, is said to be shaped like a goat's head. It is sometimes called the goat of Mendes, after a goat that supposedly copulated with priestesses during certain rituals in an ancient cult in Mendes, Greece. The goat is also one of the twelve-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. It is thought that each animal is associated with certain personality traits; those born in a year of the goat are predicted to be shy, introverted, creative, and perfectionistic. See Sheep (Zodiac). The Capricorn sign in the Western zodiac is usually depicted as a goat with a fish's tail. == Goats in pop culture == * Chico, a goat owned by Julio in the 70's TV series Sanford and Son. * President George W. Bush read the children's story "The Pet Goat" to kindergarteners on the morning of the September 11, 2001 attacks * Popular internet shock site Goatse.cx is allegedly named after the words "goat sex" ==See also== *Domestic goat *Livestock Goats ms:Kambing nds:Teeg

Goat

== Tree Climbing & Eating Everything == I come from a goat farm (if that can be imagined). Our goats can, and have climbed trees -- this is true -- however, only certain trees are suitable for goats to climb. Trees that are easy for goats to climb are usually: 1. on a bit of an angle; 2. have a large circumference; 3. have bark that provides good footing (like big lumps, grooves, and irregularities). Usually if a goat can climb a tree it won't be long before all of them are climbing on it -- and in time they will end up killing it. Also, if the tree is close to the barn, they can (and will) climb onto the roof. Just a comment on the stereotype that goats eat everything: Goats do not eat everything, but they DO seem to chew on everything (which is where the stereotype comes from). Things I've seen goats chew on: tin (ie: siding on the barn); dried paint; tree bark (we used to have a few maple trees until the goats chewed off all the bark [to get to the sap] and killed them); wood panels; ropes & strings; clothing; and the list goes on and on. --User:Animus9 05:47, 6 Jun 2005 (UTC) == Goat Milk == The odour (and taste) of any milk is mainly dependent on what the animals eat. It's incorrect to suggest that goat milk contains an odour that is not present in other milk. As any dairy farmer will tell you -- if your animals eat a bunch of weeds (or other stuff they're not supposed to be in to) you can expect weird smelling/tasting milk. This is equally true of Cows milk. The commercial goat milk I've drank is usually indistinguishable from that of cows milk. As for farm milk -- well -- that depends entirely on how well regulated the goats' food is. --User:Animus9 02:10, 7 Jun 2005 (UTC) == Is it true that snakes hate goat smell? == I was told by someone, probably old wives' tale that snakes hate the smell of goats and don't dare come near the presence of goat/s. Is this true? If yes, is it verifiable to be put in wikipedia?--User:Idleguy 04:11, Jun 8, 2005 (UTC)

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Words begining with Goat:

Goat
Goat
Goat's-beard
Goat's-rue
Goat's-thorn
Goat's_tongue
Goat-see
Goat-see
Goat.cx
Goat.cx_Man
Goat.cx_man
Goatan
Goatasaur
Goatasaur
Goatbear
Goatbear
Goatboy
Goatboy
Goatee
Goatfell
Goatfetus
Goatfish
Goathear.110
Goathear.110
Goatherd
Goatherd
Goatherd
Goatlord
Goatlord
Goatman
Goatman
Goatman_(cryptozoology)
Goatman_(cryptozoology)
Goatmon
Goatrance
Goatrance
Goats
Goats
Goatsbeard
Goatsbeard
GOATSE
Goatse
Goatse
Goatse.ca
Goatse.cc
GoatSe.cx
Goatse.cx
Goatse.cx
Goatse.cx/Vote
Goatse.cx_man
Goatse.xc
Goatsex
Goatse_guy
Goatse_Man
Goatse_man
Goatslayer
Goatsmilk
Goatsnake
Goatstown
Goatsucker
Goats_(comic)
Goats_Head_Soup
Goats_Rue
GoatTracker
Goatwhore
Goat_(musician)
Goat_(zodiac)
Goat_antelope
Goat_antelope
Goat_cheese
Goat_Fell
Goat_Island
Goat_Island,_New_Zealand
Goat_Island,_Sydney
Goat_Island_(New_York)
Goat_locker
Goat_Man
Goat_of_Mendes
Goat_Paddock_crater
Goat_Punishment
Goat_riders
Goat_riders
Goat_Rocks
Goat_Rock_Beach
Goat_Rock_beach
Goat_rope
Goat_roping
Goat_sex
Goat_song
Goat_Willow
Goat_willow