- There are about 450 million goats in the world. China has over 170 million goats.
- Goats were one of the first animals to be domesticated.
- They were even brought over on the Mayflower.
- Early explorers used skins for water and wine bottles and in biblical times goat skins were used for parchment for writing.
- There are over 210 breeds in the world.
- Goats are raised for wool, milk and meat.
- They’re close related to cows and antelopes.
- While, cow’s milk is the most popular in the U.S., goat’s milk is the most popular milk worldwide. Read more.
- Goats don’t have upper teeth, instead they have a strong dental pad and their up lip helps them sort through their food.
- Goat meat is lower in fat and cholesterol compared to beef, pork and poultry.
- Their pupils are rectangular to give them a larger range of vision. They can see 320 to 340 degrees, however they’re unable to look up or down without moving their head.
- Similar to cows, goats have four-chambered stomachs to help they digest tough roughage.
- Goats live 8 to 12 years.
- Like sheep, goats are seasonal breeders. The typical breeding season is between late August and early January.
- Goats are picky eaters. They don’t like eating food that is dirty.
- Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Kentucky have the largest population of meat goats.
- Texas, California, Wisconsin, Iowa, and New York have largest goat dairy herds.
- The meat goat industry is one of the fastest growing segments of livestock industry in the U.S.
- Goat are economically valuable in many parts of the world. They’re skins are used for leather and the pelts are made into rugs and robes.
- It’s believed that coffee was discovered by goats. Goat herders noticed their animals were energetic after eating the beans.
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Sources:
Florida A&M
Mental Floss
USDA