HABITAT AND RANGE:
These domesticated animals are believed to originally be from Nova Scotia. They were brought to Tennessee in the early 1800s. They can now be found across the United States, where they are used as meat, for milk production and as pets.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
The original fainting goats had black and white heads, necks and shoulders. Today they are seen in black and white, brown and white, gray and white, red and white, solid black, solid white, solid gray, solid red, tri-colored, chocolate brown or tan and white. Some of these goats also have blue eyes. Distinguishing characteristics are prominent eyes in high sockets, long and wide muzzles and long ears that stand out to the side instead of erect. Fainting goats can be horned, polled (naturally hornless) or disbudded. Their hair can be either long or short.
ADAPTATIONS: Myotonia (myotonia congenita) is the condition which causes these goats to “faint”. When they become excited or startled, they will stiffen and possibly fall over, which looks like they are fainting. They remain stiff for ten to fifteen seconds. They are fully aware of their surroundings and are in no pain. This is a condition which occurs in many species, including humans. (Myotonia in humans is referred to as Thomsen’s disease.) The myotonia condition is strictly muscular and does not involve the nerves or the brain.
The temperament of the fainting goat is very laid back and gentle. They are easy to train require minimal facilities. They can be profitable to raise and work well on small acreage.
DIET:
The diet of the fainting goat consists primarily of timothy and alfalfa hay and sweet feed. Goats are grazers and eat grasses, weeds, flowers, oats, barley and corn. They also need to be provided with vitamins and minerals, such as selenium and salt.
REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT:
Females are polyestrous, which means they come into heat all year. They come into heat every three weeks and remain so 1 to 3 days at a time. Gestation typically lasts 145 to 151 days. Kids are seldom weaned earlier than three months of age. Twins are common, but triplets and quadruplets are also possible.
STATUS IN THE
WILD:
Fainting goats are domesticated, and
cannot be found in the wild.
