It is a fantastic experience to watch a mountain goat scale up the side of a mountain. It seems like these goats are tethered to something or are magically defying gravity. How do these goats not tumble off the side of a mountain? In short, their bodies and hooves are designed to climb mountains. Let’s dig into the answers in more detail. We’ll also cover what happens on rare occasions when mountain goats do slip and fall, and what helps keep these goats balanced.
What Keeps Mountain Goats From Falling?
It is not magic that keeps these goats balancing effortlessly on the rocky terrain. Instead, mountain goats rely on their natural-born features to help them be the expert climbers that are!
What Can Cause a Mountain Goat to Fall?
While mountain goats have the physical ability to tackle the highest mountains, sometimes they do fall. It is not common, and most mountain goats do survive the tumble, depending on the distance they fall, of course. The most common reason why mountain goats slip and fall is due to fighting amongst each other. During mating season, males will fight each other over females, causing the stronger males to knock the weaker ones off the ledge. Very young kids might also slip and fall due to their climbing inexperience.
Why Do Mountain Goats Climb Mountains?
Some people might wonder why mountain goats climb mountains in the first place. Firstly, mountain goats climb high to escape from predators. The ledges that mountain goats can scale are more difficult for many predators. Second, mountain goats go up high in search of food. Usually, they do not need to climb to extreme elevations to find things to eat; however, in harsher situations, mountain goats will need to climb higher to find sustenance. These goats are also adventure seekers! They like to explore their terrain.
Fun Facts About Mountain Goats
Besides being one the most agile animals on land, there are some other amazing facts about mountain goats.
Conclusion
It can be quite an experience seeing these mountain goats in their natural habitat. However, since these are wild animals and can get aggressive at times, it is essential to observe their movements from a distance. It is also not a good idea to try to follow mountain goats on their paths. People need specialized climbing equipment to reach the elevation that mountain goats can scale easily. It would be best not to mimic their movements for your safety.
Featured Image Credit: Paul Tessier, Shutterstock
