Domestic Goats can live in most any environment and are thus a popular source of livestock for many herders. They are fairly easy to take care of as well, as they eat almost anything. However, if provoked, they can be a bit ill mannered. Various terms are used to classify Goats based on gender and age. Adult males are usually called bucks while adolescent males are called billy goats. A female Goat is either called a nanny goat or a doe. A Goat less than one year old is called a kid.

Appearance. Domestic Goats tend to be the same size as their wild cousins. They’re usually about 2 fores at the shoulder, one ped in length, and 1.5 pygges in weight. However, unlike wild goats, Domestic Goats usually have very small horns, if any at all. Their horns are often cut off before they get too long to prevent injury to the shepard and the other Goats in the herd.

Picture description. A goat family - a doe with her kids - enjoying a late afternoon up in the mountains. Image drawn by Bard Judith.

Domestic goats come in a larger variety of colors than wild goats. Their fleece can be white, tawny, tan, brown, grey, black, and all colors in between. Sometimes they even come in a combination of colors. Their coat, which they are some times bred fore, can differ in texture depending on terrain, varying from straight to curly, long to short. They also have cloven feet, usually small and dainty, that often times need to be cut. Wild goats have their hooves worn by their rocky habitat, but Domestic Goats have to have them cut. Their eyes are usually a golden color.

Territory. Domestic Goats can be found all over the Sarvonian continent, in the region of the United Kingdom of Santharia as well as at the lands of the barbarians to the north.

Habitat/Behaviour. Though Domestic Goats tend to be a lot more good-natured than wild ones, they are known for charging rarely. However, they usually only do this when provoked or annoyed. For this reason parents are often weary about letting children too close to them unless the child is mature enough and smart enough not to annoy the Goat to the point where they might become dangerous. For the most part, Goats are easily herded. Their habitat depends on their location, but they require a place with at least some vegetation.

Diet. This little beast can eat any form of vegetation from grasses to bushes to flowers to weeds. Some ranchers use Goats to clear brush and unwanted plants from their pastures. Goats living in the desert, where vegetation is hard to find, have been seen climbing trees to get food!

Mating. During mating season between late summer and late winter the buck releases a oily substance that has a scent that attracts the doe. Shepherds who breed Goats for their fleece will put the Goats they wish to breed in a pen called a mating pen. Usually there is one buck with one or more doe. The Goats will be kept here until the female or females are pregnant.

Does usually carry the kid for 5 months before giving birth. The kid will stay with its mother for several months, unlike the wild breed that will only stay with their mother for one or two. They usually live between 8 and 10 years.

Usages.  Domestic Goats have a number of uses. One of their main uses is for wool. Some Goats are especially bred for their coat, which may be silky and sheen or warm and soft. Uses and styles often depend upon climate. Usually thicker, warmer furred-goats live in northern parts of Santharia while thinner, silkier furred-goats are raised in southern Santharia. The Goat’s fleece is usually cut off in summer when the Goat doesn’t need it due to warmer weather. It also makes breeding less difficult.

Goats are also used for their milk. In fact, they are the second largest producers of milk in Santharia behind cows. Goat milk is a perfect substitute for those who are allergic to cow’s milk. Goat milk also tends to be easier to digest than cow’s milk and for this reason it is an important source of milk for babies, especially those who’ve lost their mother. Goat milk usually has a tangy flavor and is thicker than cow’s milk, and tends to be stronger if the Goat is not held clean. This milk is sometimes used to make cheese.

Goat meat is also a reason Goats are popular livestock. Shepherds will be able to kill one of these Goats from their herd to feed themselves and their families. Members of nobility may also keep Goats for a source of food.