Snow goat: description, habitat, interesting facts

In the mountains there is a surprisingly beautiful animal, which belongs to the family of Polarogians. If you are lucky enough to see how these handsome men in white fur coats jump from the cliff to the cliff, the sight will be remembered for life. It is called a miracle of nature - a snow goat. After reading this article, you will learn many interesting facts from the life of these horned climbers.

Snow Goat: description

The goats that live among the rocks are extremely large: the growth of adults reaches 100-106 cm, with a weight of 90-140 kg. Males can easily be distinguished from females by a much larger size, otherwise "boys" from "girls" differ little in appearance. This mountain goat resembles the usual home with its horns, which do not differ in size. They are relatively small, smooth, slightly curved. Depending on the season, the horns change their color. In the warm season, they are gray, and in the cold winter - black.

On the powerful neck holds an elongated head of medium size. The beard has a characteristic beard. The limbs of mountain jumpers are extremely strong, thanks to such strong legs goats easily cope with the steep and dangerous climbs and descents. Hooves black. The tail is so short that because of the lush fur it is almost not noticeable.

A distinctive feature of these animals is their surprisingly beautiful fur coat. She is especially struck by her chic look in the winter. At this time, white wool is especially thick, long, and hangs with a lush fringe.

Habitat

No heights and rocks are not terrible to such an animal as a snow goat. Where this bold creation of nature dwells, it is easy to guess - in the mountains. Unfortunately, the population of these cloven-hoofed animals decreases. In the wild, such a snow-white mountain goat is found exclusively on the slopes of the rocks of North America. Horned climbers are capable of conquering peaks up to 3000 m.

In ancient times, snow goats lived in all the expanses of North America. But over time, people step by step ousted them from their native places. The animals had to go farther in search of solitude and tranquility.

Lifestyle in the wild

Snow goats do not belong to herd animals. They can live alone or in small groups (3-4 individuals). They rarely conflict with each other, if an unwanted conflict is brewing, take a kneeling position, which makes it possible to smooth the situation. The nature of these animals is calm. They are not too active, they are inactive, although they have to lead a nomadic life in order to get food.

Moving along the rocks, mountain white handsome men do not like to hurry, they do not like to make sudden movements and jumps, except if necessary. Slowly, like real climbers, cloven-hoofed men manage to climb the dizzy heights.

A large, powerful body does not stop the goats from keeping their hooves on small stones. If, after climbing the cliff, the animal sees that it will not be possible to get down, then it simply jumps down, even from a height of 7 meters. In such a jump, a snow goat can turn to 60 degrees. If the hooves do not find an even landing area for landing, she simply pushes them away and makes the next jump until she is confidently on her feet.

Ration

Snow goats, to feed themselves, occupy an area of about 4.5 - 4.7 square kilometers. In autumn they migrate to the southern and western slopes of the mountains. They do not like to go down into the valleys, they look for the slopes that have not yet covered the snow layer.

Mountain animals graze in the morning and evening. If the moon lights up the area well, then the goat meal continues after the sun sets. The menu includes all the vegetation available to them: grass, wild grasses, moss, shrubs, tree branches, lichens. Moss and lichens herbivorous handsome men dig out from under the snow with hoofs. Branch bushes, leaves and bark bite. In captivity, the favorite delicacy of snow goats is fruits and vegetables.

Marriage period

Snow goats belong to polygamous animals, they are not the same to each other. The mating season falls in the cold season: November-December. At this time the males begin to mark the territory, spreading a special liquid. The specific smell of their labels tells the females that the male is in love. Behind the horns of the goat is the gland that secrete this liquid, so it rubs horns against rocks and trees, thereby leaving its unusual odor everywhere.

When a female meets a snow goat, it deserves its location to be unusual and even ridiculous, if viewed from the side, by movements. First he sits on his hind legs while digging a hole in the ground with his forelegs. Then, sticking his tongue out, on his bent limbs, he follows his chosen one on his heels, showing humility in all his appearance. All this performance is played out so that the snow goat reciprocated. After the horned boyfriend hits the female slightly in the side, and she does not do the same in response, it becomes clear that the pair held by mutual consent.

Offspring

Within six months, a snow goat bred offspring. She gives birth always standing on her feet, with the appearance of one kid in the majority of cases, which weighs about 3 kg. Newborn babies are very active, from the first days of life they go fast and feed their mother's milk with appetite. After 30-35 days of a diary diet, goat kids start eating vegetarian food, grazing along with their mother and the rest of the group.

Snow Goat: Interesting Facts

The lifestyle of snow goats is unusual, primarily because of the mountainous terrain where these amazing creatures dwell. There are many interesting facts about white handsome men:

• Snowy goats are not afraid even fifty-degree frosts with a strong wind. In such extreme weather, animals are securely protected by thick, lush, warm hair.
• The splitting on the hoof, depending on the situation and the need, can narrow and expand. Due to this the animal is able to move in any terrain with a slope of no more than 60 degrees.
• In the group of snow goats reigns matriarchy: the leader is the female.
• To see a snow goat in the forest or in the field is impossible, they live only in the mountains, sometimes walk along solonetzes.
• In ancient times, the Indians collected on the rocks wool, which snow goats are dumped during molting. From the down of goats were made woolen fabrics.

They are real experts in moving at high altitude.