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The Goat is a hoofed mammal that lives in mountainous regions of southwestern Asia, northwestern North America, and Europe. The female goat is called a nanny or a doe, the male is called a buck or a billy, and the young are called kids. Goats are closely related to sheep.
Goats were domesticated (tamed) at least 10,000 years ago in Iran. Goats are bred for their meat, wool, and milk. Goats have a life span of 9 to 12 years in the wild.
Anatomy: Goats are sure-footed animals who have a rough pad on the bottom of their two-toed hooves. They have a long, thick, furry coat that protects them from the cold. Goats range from about 17 to 42 inches (43 to 107 cm) tall at the shoulder. Both male and female wild goats have beards and pointed black horns.
Diet: Goats are herbivores (plant-eaters) who spend most of the day grazing. They eat grass, herbs, tree leaves, and other plant material. Goats swallow their food without chewing it much. Later, they regurgitate the food (then called a cud) and chew it thoroughly before swallowing it for the last time.