Mountain
Goat
Oreamnos americanus
Description
- The Mountain Goat, a blunt, squarish-looking animal
has a narrow head with slender, black, shiny horns rising
in a backward curve to a length of 10-12 inches. The
coat is white and on the chin is a double beard of long
hair. Weighing an average of 150-300 pounds and reaching
heights of 35-45 inches, the mountain goat is sure-footed
and agile due to its hooves with cushioned skid-proof
pads for grip.
Distribution
- The mountain goat lives in rocky mountainous areas
above the timberline throughout parts of North America.
British Columbia's population is by far the largest
at approximately 100,000.
Biology
- This mountain goat feeds on alpine grasses and flowers
to almost any tree and shrub. The rutting season occurs
between November and early January and the young (often
twins) is born in May or June. The greatest cause of
death for these mountain dwellers is accidents and in
the winter when the availability of food is decreased,
they are more susceptible to disease, parasites, predators
and accidents.
Tracks
- The track of the mountain goat is similar to that
of the mountain sheep. The toes spread giving the track
a square shape with a V in front. The mountain goat
tends to drag its feet creating a trough between prints.
This is particularily noticeable in the snow.
Straddle: 16 - 18 cm (6.4 - 7.2 in)
Stride: 38 cm (15.2 in)
Track: 6.5 cm (2.6 in) / 3.5 cm (1.4 in)
