GOATS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

 This was a fun experience watching several baby goats running around and playing in a large field.  Adults were  in the same field as their offspring, a little quieter and slower.  Parents and children are the same across the species I think.  All across the species, kids seem to be bright balls of energy. 

This was a few years ago when I drove out to Middleburg to meet some friends for lunch.  Thankfully the traffic wasn't heavy.  Normally the town has a lot of traffic going back and forth, but this day it was much quieter and it made for a pleasant ride, country roads all the way.  I was looking for a sign on the main street of Middleburg, which would tell me to turn left towards The Plains.  It is a lovely ride and about half way to the town I saw a field of goats, very active goats, at least the kids were active.  I pulled into a gate and parked for ten minutes, took my photos and enjoyed all the frolicking.  I always plan to arrive early and would have plenty of time to meet my friends. 

They were adorable and here are a few facts about goats. 

Goats were one of the first animals to be tamed by humans, and were being herded 9,000 years ago.

Goats can be taught their name and to come when called.

The life span of a goat is about that of a dog.

Each baby goat - called a kid - has a unique call, and along with its scent, that is how its mother recognizes it from birth, not by sight.

Counter to the dominant stereotype about goats being willing to eat anything, they are actually picky eaters.  They have sensitive lips, which they use to 'mouth' things in search of clean and tasty food.  They will often refuse to eat hay that has been walked on or lying around loose for a day.

Goats are herd animals and will become depressed if kept without any goat companions.  So, it is unhealthy for a goat if a family just owns one as a pet.

Goats, being mountain animals, are very good at climbing.  They have been known to climb to the tops of trees, or even dams.  

Goats' pupils (like many hooved animals) are rectangular.  This gives them vision for 320 to 340 degrees (compared to humans with 160 to 210) around them without having to move, and they are thought to have excellent vision.

Goats are foragers, not grazers. In their natural habitat they roam mountaintops and reach up as high as possible to pick out choice bits of forage around them.

I found out these interesting facts and more at this website.