Domestic goat in exhibit

Domestic Goat

Scientific Name
Capra hircus
Class
Mammalia
Order
Artiodactyla
Range
Domesticated around the world
Habitat
n/a
Estimated Wild Population
n/a
Domestic goat in exhibit Endangered Status Graph - Not Evaluated Endangered Status Graph - Not Evaluated

More Information

Goats range in size and coloration—black, white, brown, red, and spotted—across more than 300 different breeds. Only La Mancha, Oberhasli, and Alpine breeds live at Lincoln Park Zoo. Goats are closely related to naother barnyard animal: sheep. These domesticated animals are great foragers and will nibble on anything they come across. Females are known as does or nannies; males are called bucks or billies. Offspring are called kids and are born with nubby horns and playful demeanors.

Did You Know?

One of the oldest domesticated species, goats have been raised for their milk, meat, and skin for thousands of years.

A multi-chambered, continuously digesting stomach enables goats to break down tough plants for nutrients and fiber.

Their eyes have uniquely rectangular pupils with varying eye colors.

Animal Care staff working with seal

Commitment to Care

Lincoln Park Zoo prioritizes individual well-being over everything else. Guided by scientific research, staff and volunteers work to provide the best welfare outcomes for each individual in the zoo’s care.

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Two Chilean flamingos in exhibit

Animals Depend On People Too

When you ADOPT an animal, you support world-class animal care by helping to provide specially formulated diets, new habitat elements, and regular veterinary checkups.

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Asian small-clawed otter in exhibit

Wish List

The Wish List is full of one-of-a-kind items for the zoo’s animals, including nutritious snacks and enrichment items to keep them active and healthy.

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African penguin eating a fish

Take Action With Us

Wildlife face many daunting challenges—some global, like planet-wide climate change, and some that affect individuals, like an animal ingesting plastic—but now is not the time to despair. None of these problems are too big for us to come together and solve.

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