goat

goat, any ruminant and hollow-horned mammal belonging to the genus Capra. Related to the sheep, the goat is lighter of build, has horns that arch backward, a short tail, and straighter hair. Male goats, called bucks or billys, usually have a beard. Females are called does or nannys, and immature goats are called kids. Wild goats include the ibex and markhor.

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Domesticated goats are descended from the pasang (Capra aegagrus), which is probably native to Asia, the earliest records being Persian. In China, Great Britain, Europe, and North America, the domestic goat is primarily a milk producer, with a large portion of the milk being used to make cheese. One or two goats will supply sufficient milk for a family throughout the year and can be maintained in small quarters, where it would be uneconomical to keep a cow. For large-scale milk production, goats are inferior to cattle in the temperate zone but superior in the torrid and frigid zones. Goat flesh is edible, that from young kids being quite tender and more delicate in flavour than lamb, which it resembles. Some breeds, notably the Angora and Cashmere, are raised for their wool (see also wool; cashmere; Angora goat); young goats are the source of kid leather.

Selected breeds of goats are provided in the table.

Selected breeds of goats

	name	use	distribution	characteristics	comments
	Angora	wool	originally Turkey, now also South Africa, United States	small body; thick, flat fleece	thrives in temperate regions
	Boer	meat	originally South Africa	horned; lop ears	extended breeding season
	Cashmere	wool, milk, and meat	originally China, now Asia and Middle East	small body; large ears; small horns	wool obtained from its undercoat
	LaMancha	milk	originally United States	distinct ear types: “gopher ears” (up to one inch in length but preferably nonexistent) or “elf ears” (maximum length 2 inches)	hardy
	Nubian	milk	originally North Africa, now also India, Middle East, United Kingdom, United States	long legs; long ears; large nose	several varieties
	Oberhasli	milk	originally Switzerland	medium-sized; chamois in colour with two black stripes on face	alert in appearance
	Saanen	milk	originally Saanen Valley, Switzerland	white or cream-coloured; short hair	consistent milk producer
	Toggenburg	milk	originally Toggenburg valley, Switzerland, now also United Kingdom, United States	light to dark brown	important dairy goat