[Animals of the world: goats] Origin and history Ecology and characteristics

Goats are a well-known animal that is widely kept in modern society. It has been domesticated in many parts of the world, and each region has undergone its own evolution. But where was the goat born? And what kind of history does this animal have?

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feature

Goat is a general term for animals classified in the genus Goat of the family Bovidae. They are 40-100 cm long and weigh 10-125 kg, and their sizes vary, as there are many different types of goats around the world, from small to large goats. There are various body colors, including white, black, dark brown, and grey-brown. The shape and length of the horns are diverse, and they can be spiral or spread out to the left and right. Domesticated goats give the impression of being gentle and quiet, but that is not the case in the wild. In the wild, there are external enemies, so they are agile and active. Also, goats may attack when they see something unfamiliar. The rushing force is quite powerful and can injure even adults. Goats generally live in groups of 2 to 10 animals.

Ecology

There is an image that goats eat paper. However, not everything is edible, and the types of paper that goats can eat are limited. Goats can withstand harsh environments and can survive by simply eating weeds and tree branches. Goats also have low water requirements and don’t need much water. The breeding season varies considerably depending on the type of goat. Breeding is generally possible throughout the year. The gestation period is often around 150 days, and one to two offspring can be born at a time. In the wild, they live about 10 years, but in captivity they can live up to 20 years.

origin

Where was the goat born? Goats probably ranged from Pakistan to Afghanistan to Central Asia. It is said that humans began to raise them as livestock from here between 10,000 and 7,000 BC. It is said that goats were probably domesticated near the Taurus Mountains in Anatolia. After that, it is said that goats were bred in human societies in places such as Iran, and that goats were domesticated in West Asia. Goats have been domesticated for longer than cows, and dairy products such as cheese and butter were invented from goat milk.

history

Goats have been domesticated by humans since around 7000 years ago and have come to be useful. Many goat remains have been unearthed along with human remains in various parts of western and central Asia, so it can be said that goats have permeated human society considerably. Not only can you make cheese and butter from goat milk, but you can also use meat and fur, so it has become a very useful animal for humans. However, in the past, goats were not valued among nomadic peoples, such as Mongolians, and were limited to areas where agricultural civilization had permeated. Goats have also been sacrificed since ancient times, and were sometimes thrown away alive, bearing all their sins. In the Christian cultural sphere, some people regarded goats as demons, and others thought that they were a mass of evil intentions. After that, from ancient times to the Middle Ages, the culture of raising goats became deeply ingrained in East Asia such as Japan and Korea.

Goats are also edible, so they were sometimes carried on boats and served as food in emergencies. When the new continent was discovered, goats were released on isolated islands. With that background, goats can now be seen all over the world. But it also has its downsides. Far from being an endangered species, goats are becoming a problem due to over-breeding. Excessive breeding of goats is causing serious damage to vegetation and agriculture. It may seem surprising, but goats are also designated as an invasive alien species in the world. It has also been suggested that goats may cause the extinction of rare species of plants in some areas. In addition, goats are causing desertification in some regions, making it a serious global issue.