PYGMY GOAT
{ capra aegagrus hircus }
Thanks to their dwarfed size, pygmy goats have been kept as pets for almost 7500 years.
PROFILE
Chi Chi is the pygmy goat with all white fur. She is the friendlier of the 2 goats and will approach you, but don’t be fooled, she does love to headbutt you if your back is turned.
Cha Cha is the pygmy goat with brown around all 4 of her ankles. She is less likely to come up to you unless you are on the other side of the fence.
CHA CHA
CHI CHI
OVERVIEW
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
AVERAGE SIZE
Compared to a 6′ Man
AVERAGE WEIGHT
F: 40 lbs
M: 50 lbs
AVERAGE LIFESPAN
15 Years
DIET
Herbivore
REGIONS
West Africa
From the Cameroon region of West Africa’s plains and hillsides. They were brought to the United States between 1930 and 1960 to be used in zoos and research. They later became popular as companion pets due to their smaller size and friendly demeanor.
APPEARANCE
Often referred to as dwarf, Pygmy Goats are smaller than other goat breeds, standing only 20” at the withers. Their coats range in color from white, caramel, dark red, silver, brown and back in solid or with various patterns. Females may have beards while males have a longer mane that goes around their shoulders. They have two-toed hooves that help them climb with ease. Their square-shaped pupils provide 320-340 degrees of vision, making it easy to spot predators and potential threats. Like cattle, they have a four-chambered stomach to help them digest their cellulose-heavy diet of vegetation.
CHARACTERISTICS
Pygmy goats like to graze on leaves, plants, twigs, shrubs and vines. They may eat some fruits, vegetables and hay. They are very social and enjoy living in groups from five to 20 members. If other goats are not around, they enjoy companionship from other farm animals like sheep.
Mating occurs only in the late fall/early winter to ensure offspring are born in the warmer spring months. Bucks will fight for does (or nannies) by ramming the horns of other males. After roughly 150 days, one to two “kids” will be birthed. Within minutes the young will be on their feet in order to nurse, and after 10 months they will be weaned and begin to graze on their own.
Pygmy goats are very intelligent and can be trained if the proper training skills are used. They are super active and enjoy large spaces, climbing and jumping.