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African Pygmy Goat
Order: Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulate)
Family: Bovidae
Genus: Capra
Species: hircus
Range & Habitat
Originally African plains, now domesticated and worldwide in distribution.
Reproduction & Growth
The normal litter is two kids after a gestation period of 21-23 weeks. Babies are born with hair and can run and jump after a few hours. Kids are weaned at 3-6 months. Goats are sexually mature as early as six months old. An adult pygmy goat is 18-20 inches tall. Their colors are gray, black, white or any combination of these colors. Their hair is smooth and short. The lifespan is 8-10 years and up to 22 years in captivity.
Diet - Herbivore
In the Wild: Grass, trees, shrubs, twigs and leaves. It is a ruminant
animal, one with multiple stomachs.
In the Zoo: Llama chow and Timothy hay
General Information
The pygmy goat is known for its ability to survive on poor pasture. They are vegetarians that prefer to browse rather than graze. To reach high branches they stand on their hind legs. Both sexes have horns. The female's horns are generally short and straight while the male's are longer, twisted and turned back. They are agile climbers due in part to the hair, which grows between their hooves, which gives them added traction on smooth surfaces. They are excellent jumpers, climbers and have great balance. Goats have been domesticated by man for milk and meat.
In the Zoo
Currently the Brandywine Zoo has five Pygmy Goats.
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