UNLESS SOMEONE LIKE YOU CARES A WHOLE AWFUL LOT, NOTHING IS GOING TO GET BETTER IT'S NOT - Dr. Seuss
Mountain goat
Yellow listed species
Human Health Hazard
Conservation Status
Syilx
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Description
The mountain goat is a compact, stocky ungulate with a heavy white coat, and a short tail 10-20 cm in length. Both male and female look similar with very muscular shoulders, short sharp horns and a beard under the chin. The coat is white but may appear grey, tan or reddish tan due to staining from dust baths. The horns, hooves and nose are black. Average mature male mountain goats weigh 80 to 100 kg, measure 165 cm in length and stand 101 cm tall at the shoulder. Average mature female mountain goats weigh 60 to 80 kg, measure 142 cm in length and stand 89 cm tall at the shoulder.
Habitat
Food
Social System, Activity & Movements
The home range of a mountain goat herd is typically nine kilometers of connecting mountain ridges. There can be numerous herds of goats on various watersheds of a single large mountain range.
Reproduction & Parental Care
Natural Mortality & Predators
Mountain goats in the wild can live up to 14 years. Lifespan is limited by wear on the teeth from coarse feed and grit. When the teeth wear to the gum, starvation can occur. The greatest natural threats to mountain goats are starvation in late winter, avalanches, falls from steep cliffs and predation. Natural predators include grizzly, black bear, wolves, wolverine and cougar. Golden eagles can knock small new-born kids off rocky ledges.