The mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus), a majestic symbol of the Northwestern North American mountains, thrives in some of the most challenging environments on the continent. These creatures, despite their name, are not true goats but belong to the goat-antelope subfamily. Their diet is as adaptable and resilient as they are, varying with the seasons and the specific habitat they occupy.
Habitat and Distribution
The mountain goat is endemic to the steep and rugged mountain ranges of northwestern North America. Their range extends from Idaho and Washington, through British Columbia and Alberta, into the southern Yukon and southeastern Alaska. In Alaska, they are found throughout the southeastern Panhandle, and north and west along the coastal mountains to Cook Inlet. These sure-footed climbers are commonly seen on cliffs and ice, and their populations are scattered throughout their range, from sea level to elevations over 10,000 feet. In Nevada, they can be found only in the Ruby Mountains and East Humboldt range.
Physical Adaptations
Mountain goats are well-equipped for their challenging environment. Both males (billies) and females (nannies) sport beards, short tails, and long, black horns featuring annual growth rings to indicate age. Their woolly white double coats provide insulation against extreme winter conditions, with temperatures as low as −46 °C (−51 °F) and winds of up to 160 kilometers per hour (99 mph). The fine, dense wool of their undercoats is covered by an outer layer of longer, hollow hairs. They molt in spring by rubbing against rocks and trees.
Their hooves are also specially adapted for climbing steep, rocky slopes, with inner pads for traction and cloven hooves that can spread apart. The tips of their feet have sharp dewclaws that prevent slipping. These adaptations allow them to navigate terrain that is inaccessible to most other animals. They are also very muscular animals with well-developed shoulder muscles to give it great climbing strength and aid in its ability to dig for food in winter. They are able to climb almost 1500 vertical feet in 20 minutes.
Seasonal Dietary Shifts
Mountain goats are versatile eaters, exhibiting both grazing and browsing behaviors depending on the season and habitat. Their diet primarily consists of grasses, herbs, lichens, shrubs, and deciduous or coniferous trees.
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Summer Diet
During the summer months, mountain goats typically inhabit high alpine meadows. Here, they graze on grasses, herbs, and low-growing shrubs, following the flush of nutritious new growth uphill.
Winter Diet
As winter approaches, their feeding habits shift towards browsing. In coastal areas, they undertake altitudinal migrations from alpine summer ranges to lower-elevation winter ranges at or below the tree line, often in old-growth forests. In interior areas, they winter on windswept ridges that remain uncovered by snow. Hemlock and lichen become important winter diet items, though feeding habits in winter center on availability. Blueberry, hemlock and lichen can be important winter diet items. Towards the end of winter and beginning of spring, goats may venture down to the intertidal zone.
Nutritional Needs and Behavior
Mountain goats also engage in salt licking, consuming salt and other minerals from natural deposits to maintain a balanced diet. They drink water and eat snow to stay hydrated.
Mountain goats are social animals, forming bands. After the breeding season, males and females separate, with billies forming small bands of two or three individuals, while nannies form loose-knit nursery groups of up to 50 animals. They are active during the day and spend most of their time grazing.
Predation and Defense
Bears, wolves, eagles, and wolverines prey on mountain goats, especially young kids. To avoid predation, mountain goats utilize their climbing skills, seeking refuge on steep, rocky slopes that other animals cannot navigate. Females travel close behind kids where eagles might try to knock them off their feet.
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Reproduction
Female mountain goats breed for the first time at around two years old. The breeding season occurs between late October and early December. Males prepare for rut in November by digging urine pits where they wallow, soil, and scent their coats. During this time, billies spend little time eating and there is an increase in threats to other males as they begin following nannies at a distance. Only when the nannies are in estrus will the billies approach closely. Gestation takes about six months, after which nannies give birth to a single kid (rarely twins) in mid-to-late May. In Kenai Fjords, pregnant females make their way down steep cliffs to the sea to give birth. Nannies find secluded beaches with surrounding territory that only a goat could scale. Kids weigh a little over 3 kilograms (6.6 lb) at birth and begin to run and climb (or attempt to do so) within hours. Kids stay with their mothers until the next breeding season and often for some years beyond. Once the nanny and her kid are back in the mountains, they will group together with other nannies and kids forming bands of 5-20 animals.
Conservation Status
While mountain goats are not currently endangered, they are sensitive to human disturbance, particularly increasing helicopter activity for industrial and tourism purposes. The total population size is estimated at 48,000-62,000 mature individuals. Recent total estimates in the United States are 37,000-47,000 individuals, with 24,000-33,500 individuals in Alaska. Mountain goats’ conservation status is technically “least concern” which means these animals have a steady population, but there are plenty of practices humans can do to prevent them from being harmed and help protect them.
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