The Inquisitiveness of Goats

Goats are very social, intelligent, and inquisitive animals who are usually friendly and can be housebroken and trained to walk on lead. They can learn to open latches and gates to escape fences. They are good observers and repeat behaviors of other goats or even humans, such as learning to kiss in order to get a treat.

They have excellent vision and sensitive lips, which are used to select food that is tasty and clean. They will not eat soiled food unless they are starving. With their excellent coordination goats can climb and balance in very precarious places.

Goats can live up to 10 or 12 years. Relatively independent for a herd animal, they prefer to be around their same breed in a mixed herd.

Members of the same family prefer to stay nearby their mother, even if they are separated for years and later reintroduced. Even unrelated animals form strong and long lasting bonds among themselves and are very protective of members of their group.

Young goats are very playful and enjoy jumping vertically into the air, leaping on their mothers' backs, galloping, tossing their heads, and whirling around.

Humans who have rescued goats from abusive situations feel like they can eventually gain their trust.