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Originally Posted by Unregistered
Hello,
Just have a quick question - does anyone know from where goats originated (where are they native to)? What peoples have kept them throughout history?
Thanks for the help,
Jesse
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Check out this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goat
A goat is any of several species of medium-sized grazing animal. All goats (and sheep) belong to the subfamily Caprinae of the family Bovidae. In common use, however, goat is usually understood to mean the Domestic Goat, Capra aegagrus hircus, a subspecies of the Wild Goat of south-west Asia and eastern Europe.
Female goats are referred to as does, intact males as bucks. Castrated males are wethers, offspring are kids. Goat meat is sometimes called chevon.
Goats have been domesticated for roughly 10,000 years: they are kept for the production of milk and hair. They are also harvested for their meat. Domestic goats are generally kept in herds that wander on hills or other grazing areas, often tended by goatherds who are frequently children or adolescents, similar to the more widely known shepherd.
Goats are reputed to be willing to eat almost anything. Contrary to this reputation they are quite fastidious in their habits, preferring to browse on the tips of woody shrubs and trees, as well as the occasional broad leaved plant. Due to this they are less susceptible than other livestock to parasites when allowed to feed in a natural setting. They will seldom eat soiled food or water unless facing starvation. They certainly do not consume garbage, tin cans, or clothing. Their reputation for doing so is most likely due to their intensely inquisitive and intelligent nature: they will explore anything new or unfamiliar in their surroundings. Lacking hands and fingers, they do so primarily with their prehensile upper lip and tongue.
