The Animals

The Goat

The Goat can be found in all Australian states and on many offshore islands, but are most common in the rocky or hilly semi arid areas of western New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland. The Goat is a cross of every species of milking and hair goat (Angora and Cashmere) found in Australia.

Goats live in herds, and although males and females live separately for much of the year they share about one square kilometre under good conditions, but a larger area when food or water is scarce. They only mix together during the breeding season in autumn and winter, with females becoming sexually mature in their first year. Goats can breed twice a year, with twins and triplets being common.

Goats are browsers rather than grazers they eat twigs, bark, flowers, fruit and roots. They will eat most plant types in pastoral regions and often consume vegetation that is avoided by sheep or cattle.

A female is called a doe, or nanny goat, a male is called a buck, or billy goat and a baby is called a kid. In every goat herd there is a herd queen (or pack leader). They're often the oldest and get to eat first. They groom up the new 'heirs' to the position. This new heir often protects the old one from the rest. A buck or billy goat can also produce milk!