Mountain climbing sure seems fun and it’s only when you start climbing yourself you realize how difficult of a task it really is. That’s probably why you don’t see every other guy you know buying climbing mountaineering gear. But do you know who does not use mountain climbing gear and still is a pro at this task?
Goats! Yes, those adorable and timid animals. Although when we say goats, we specifically mean mountain goats, as they are well known for their pristine climbing capabilities. In this article, we will tell our readers all about Mountain Goats and their love of Climbing.
Why do mountain goats they climb up mountains?
Well, it’s a really easy question to answer. Imagine you are a goat, now wouldn’t you like to be somewhere devoid of any predators and with an ample supply of food?
Mountains serve the exact same purpose for goats as they not only protect them from most of their natural predators, but it also provides them with a good amount of grass and moss to munch on. Additionally, mountain goats are one of the few herbivores on the mountain, which means they don’t have to worry about competition from other animals eating their grass.
How are mountain goats so good at climbing?
What makes them such good climbers is the variety of physical adaptions they have. These goats have slim legs compared to normal goats, which enables them to pull themselves close to the surface to lower their center of gravity, thus lowering their chances of falling.
Another exciting adaptation these wonderful animals have is their split hooves. Their hooves also have a dense, hard outer layering that helps them stick to the surface. They also have a leathery soft bottom pad that provided them with necessary friction and acts as suction cups. And the fact that they have two of such hooves on each limb shows how seriously they take their safety.
Their rectangular pupils also help them in their climbing activities as they provide them with excellent peripheral vision. They also have sturdy dewclaws on the back of their legs which help them slow down if they accidentally slip down a slope.
Mountain goats also tend to follow the more experienced members of the herd while climbing up, which further limits their chances of falling down. This is because they can observe the easiest past up and copy the leader.
Do mountain goats fall?
After knowing all of the adaptions mountain goats possess, it’s very easy to disregard the idea of them ever falling.
But unfortunately, it is not uncommon for mountain goats to fall. Most of the time, it is a result of loose earth or rocks that shake loose when the mountain goat steps on it.
As with any other living being, old age can play its tricks on mountain goats as well and can make them weak, disoriented, or blind. All of these reasons can contribute to mountain goats falling. Unfortunately, nothing can be done to solve this problem as it is just a natural process.
Young goats also tend to fall if they get separated from the herd, as in that scenario, they become paranoid, and their lack of experience causes them to fall.
Mountain goats can also fall as a result of fighting each other on the mountain. This happens when they headbutt each other. Mountain goats usually fight over mating partners.
