Mountain goat

흰산양

The mountain goat is a white-coated goat-like animal of the high mountains of western North America. It has short black horns and a beard, and its split hooves grip nearly vertical cliffs. A thick double coat shields it from bitter cold and wind.

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At a glance

Class: Mammals
Lives in: Mountains of British Columbia
Diet: Plant eater (herbivore)
Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN LC)
Habitat: mountains

Quick answers

Where does the Mountain goat live?

It lives in mountains. On the globe you can find it near Mountains of British Columbia.

What does the Mountain goat eat?

Its diet: plant eater (herbivore).

Is the Mountain goat endangered?

It is listed as Least Concern (IUCN LC).

The mountain goat is a white-coated climber of the high mountains of western North America. It is a sure-footed animal often seen on sheer rock faces, near-vertical cliffs and icy ledges. It is rated Least Concern.

Despite its name, it is not a true goat. Its closest relatives are other "goat-antelopes" such as the European chamois, gorals, takins and serows. Its split hooves and strong legs allow sure-footed climbing on sheer rock faces. It rarely wanders far from steep ground, and it avoids lower elevations except during seasonal food shortages.

Why can it climb cliffs?

Its split hooves grip steep rock, and it usually stays high up. Living high on cliffs is its main defence against predators such as black and brown bears, pumas and wolves. It generally comes down only when food is short or the weather is especially bad. Its thick white coat helps it endure the cold, windy mountains. The shaggy beard and short black horns are easy clues for spotting this unusual animal.

A distant cousin of true goats

Mountain goats belong to the family Bovidae and the subfamily Caprinae, along with sheep, true goats and muskoxen. Scientists think they split from their relatives about 7.5 to 8 million years ago, and their ancestors probably spread from the Tibet–Mongolia region across the Bering Strait. Because they climb so high and live far from people, mountain goats are some of the best examples of how an animal can be adapted for danger.

Fun facts

Despite its name it is not a true goat; its closest relatives include the chamois.
The mountain goat is not a member of Capra, the genus of true goats.
It is also called the Rocky Mountain goat.
Its closest relatives include the chamois.