The mountain goatOreamnos americanus
The Rocky Mountain goat is a stout-bodied animal measuring 150 to 175 cm in body length, standing at up to 1 meter at the shoulders, and weighing 80 to 135 kilograms. This animal has a massive body with the spine that looks down warp due to the erect shoulder crest, elongated head with small eyes located close to the horns, and small sharp horns that curl back and reach a length of 30 cm. Its dazzling white coat is very dense and long; the hair is especially long on the nape, shoulders, rump, and upper legs. The fur of the undercoat is extremely fine and thick. This coat helps the mountain goat to withstand winter temperatures as low as - 46°C and winds of up to 150 km/h. The Indians used to collect the wool of these goats that was shed in the summer season, and spin yarn that was highly valued. Rocky Mountain goats are native to northern Rocky Mountains in North America. The total population in Canada is estimated at approximately 58,000 individuals and total estimates in the United States are 36,000 to 47,000 animals. Mountain goats are mostly found in high altitude habitats, up to the limit of vegetation at elevations of about 3,000 meters above sea level. Their diet includes grasses, herbs, lichens, twigs, and leaves from low-growing shrubs and conifers of their high-altitude habitats. The rutting season occurs in November. Gestation in females lasts approximately six months, after which one or two calves are born. The newborns are able to stand in 10 minutes after birth. Young mountain goats reach sexual maturity at the age of 2.5 years.
Rocky Mountain goats demonstrate fantastic ability to move on the impossibly steep slopes due to their hooves that are ideally adapted to rock climbing. The hooves of these animals have two toes that spread wide to improve balance, and rough pads on the bottom of each toe, providing the grip on the rugged terrain. These adaptations allow the mountain goats climbing 60 degree slopes. Rocky Mountain goats often move from one place to another in search of better pastures or salt-marshes. When a herd climbs up the rocks, young animals are moving in front of the herd, followed by older goats who will try to help inexperienced climbers, if they fall down. The calves start learning climbing as early as in a few hours after birth.
