Mountain Goats - Reproduction and Life Cycle
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Picture source:
Mount Evans.com © 1999-2003
Kork Snyder
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Mountain Goats are sexually mature by the age of 30 months. All females from the group have estrus simultaneously, usually in late October through early December. Courtship behaviors are simple with the male approaching the female on a low stretch and attempting to tap it on the flank. If the female is not ready to mate, she will rebuff it. Both sexes are polygamous and are likely to mate with other partners. After the breeding season, males usually leave the group of females.
The gestation period is about 150-180 days, after which the female leaves the group to give birth to a kid alone. As a rule, one kid is born with twins being rare. Triplets are uncommon, yet possible. The female gives birth while standing; after birth she eats the placenta. The little Mountain Goat can stand in about 20 minutes and walks on without assistance within a half-hour. The females are very protective and watch the kids very closely.
The kids are usually weaned by the age of 1 month. Females give birth almost every year and force the kid to leave them right before the next birthing period. However, if the female does not give birth to another kid, she may allow the offspring from the previous year to follow her.
The kids that leave the mother join the other Mountain Goats to form a group. Groups usually consist of females, kids, and juveniles, or bachelor males. Mountain Goats may also live solitary.
Mountain Goats - Fun Links
Accounts for Identified Wildlife - Status, ecology, and distribution.
Alyeska Pipeline Service - Mountain Goats - Shares an excellent photo of the animal and gives a brief description of it.
Hunting Mountain Goat in British Columbia - This hunting adventure dedicated to the experienced sportsman.
Mountain Goat Fun Facts - Facts you did not know about the Mountain Goat.
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Picture source:
Northwest Outdoor Photography
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Mountain Goat: Wildlife Notebook Series - The Mountain Goat (Oreamnos americanus) is the single North American representative of a widespread group of Goat-like ungulates.
Mountain Goats - A Beast the Color of Winter - Article by Ken Retallic on the Mountain Goat.
Mountain Goats - Distinguishing characteristics, species ecology, and critical habitat.
Mountain Goats in Olympic National Park - Plants and animals living in the Olympic mountains of western Washington are isolated from other mountain ranges and as a result have evolved several species unique to the area.
Moutain Goat. The Animal In You - Description and pictures.
Rocky Mountain Goat (Oreamnos americanus) - Description and habitat of the species.
Rocky Mountain Goats - Discover The Outdoors - Physical description, reproduction, food usage, common hunting methods, and hunting challenges.
Rocky Mountain Goats - Rocky Mountain Goat Hunting, Information And Habitat
Rolling Hills Zoo: Mountain Goats - Classification, status, habitat, range, diet, fact file, physical characteristics, behavior, breeding, and care of young.
Saving the North Cascade Mountain Goat - Saving the North Cascade Mountain Goat: some questions and answers from the Sauk-Suiattle Indian tribe.
Species Account: Mountain Goats - General information on the species, its habitat, and life style.
Species Profile: Rocky Mountain Goats - General information on Mountain Goats.
Species: Oreamnos americanus - Taxonomy and other information on the species.
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Picture source:
Northwest Outdoor Photography
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The Mountain Goat - What animal did the early settlers call the "White Buffalo?" Indians collected their fur to make clothing because of its warmth. Give up? This animal was the Mountain Goat.
The Nilgiri Tahr Foundation - Provides details about this endangered species endemic to Western Ghats, India. Reports on its habits and preferred habitat with photos.
Ultimate Ungulate - Rocky Mountain Goat - Learn of the Mountain Goat's habits and high altitude habitat. Shares photographs, a range map, and links.
Wildlife: Mountain Goats - learn more about these animals by visiting this page.
Wolfcountry: Mountain Goats - Description, appearance, horns, distribution, feeding habits, habitat, and the rut.
Zoo.org: Mountain Goats - Classification and range, habitat, physical characteristics, diet, life cycle, fascinating facts, and more.
