Helpful Info

 .

Body Size and Configuration

Body size differences between male and female goats 3 years of age and younger cannot be reliable distinguished in the field. In animals 4 years of age and older, males are usually larger than females, standing 3 to 6 inches (7.5 to 15 cm) higher at the shoulder and slightly longer in body length.

Muscular development of the males’ shoulders and the depth of the chest is greater than that of females. Subtle facial features may include a more angular appearance in males, although 1 and 2-year-olds retain a blocky appearance due to the shorter snout typical of juveniles.

Horns

Males and females both have shiny, black horns which grow from a bony core. Mountain goats do not shed their horns. An increment of growth is added to the horn annually. During the first year of life, the horns continue to grow throughout the winter so a distinct ring is not created, although a ridge or indentation in the horn often occurs. The majority of horn growth occurs during the first 2.5 years. The age of a goat may be determined by counting the annual growth rings which are formed each winter except the first year. For example, the horns of a 5- year-old goat harvested in the fall will show 4 visible rings.

The male’s horns curve back in a greater, more uniform arc. The female’s horns tend to curve more toward the tip although this feature is variable. Average horn lengths for adult males range from 8 to 10 inches (20.3 to 25.4 cm), and adult females from 7.5 to 10 inches (19.0 to 25.4 cm) depending on the area of the state from which they are taken. Although the length of a male’s horns may not exceed those of a female, the circumference of the horn at the base is greater. A careful observer will notice that there is less space between the horns of males then females. Basal horn circumference for males ranges from 4.3 to 5.8 inches (1.7 to 2.3 cm) while in females circumference is from 3.5 to 5.0 inches (8.9 to 12.7 cm).

Length of the horn in relation to the ear is one field indicator of age. From the age of 1 year the ears are at least 4 inches (10.2 cm) long, reaching 5.5 inches (14.0 cm) in some adult males. In yearlings, the horns are equal or less then the length of the ear. In 2-year-olds the horns exceed the ear length by 1 to 2 inches, or up to half again the length of the ear. The horn to ear length ratio in adults is variable, but the horns are at least half again as long as the ears, and they may achieve double the length of the ears. If the horn appears to be full-length, but the nose seems short, the animal is probably a 2 or 3 year old, and other body characteristics should be checked.