Mountain Goat

• Scientific Name: Oreamnos americanus
• Niimíipuu Name: C'axfisxis

​Description:

Mountain Goats are unique because they live in harsh alpine climates with strong winds and snow and move along steep slopes. They can maneuver in extreme conditions because of their cloven hooves, which have two toes that spread and rough pads that grip. These features aid in balance so they can climb safely. Mountain Goats can also jump up to 12 feet in one bound! They stay warm and camouflaged in the snow because of their thick and soft white hair. Other distinctive features include their long beards and pointed horns which are scene in both males and females.

Female goats are called nannies, male goats are called billies, and their offspring are called kids. Males (billies) tend to be larger than females and stockier to compete for females during mating season. Breeding season is from early November to December, with nannies giving birth to one or two kids in early spring. Nannies live in herds with their kids that can reach up to 20 animals, while billies live along or with a few other males. They live for 9 to 12 years and can weight up to 300 pounds!

 

Diet

Since Mountain Goats live such extreme environments, food is scarce. They eat mountain mahogany, shrubs, conifers, sedges, rushes, mosses, lichens, and grasses found along and between rocks. Choice in food varies by season, with shrubs mostly eaten in the winter and grasses in the summer. Mountain Goats also like to travel miles to treat themselves to mineral licks, especially in the summer.

Seasonal Rounds of the Nez Perce

The Nez Perce used to migrate seasonally throughout their territory to take advantage of resources available at different times of the year. From midsummer to fall, the Nez Perce would travel to the highlands for hunting and harvesting. These months were when Mountain Goats were hunted for their meat, but their soft and thick hair was also used to make clothing and saddle pads.

Mountain Goats are found in northwestern North America and the only living species in its genus (Oreamnos). Despite its name, Mountain Goats are not closely related to domesticated goats. A more appropriate name would be “goat-antelopes.’  Its closest relatives are the European Chamois and Asian Goral and Serow.

Sources:

Idaho Fish & Game. Mountain Goat Hunting. March 2021. https://idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/mountain-goat

Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks. Species Guide: Mountain Goat. March 2021. https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/regulations/mountain-goat

National Geographic. Mountain Goat. March 2021. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/mountain-goat#:~:text=Mountain%20goats%20are%20powerful%20but,camouflage%20on%20the%20snowy%20heights

Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail. Along the Nez Perce Trail: A Coloring and Activity Book. Heritage Design. https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsbdev3_055634.pdf
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Mountain Goat. March 2021. https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species/oreamnos-americanus#living