Pygmy goats originate from West Africa’s Cameroon region. They are now kept as pets in many places.
They are good milk producers and can be used for research. They are great pets, and you will find them in petting zoos.
They are a goat bred from West African dwarf goats from the Cameroon Valley.
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American Pygmy Goat Facts for Kids
- American Pygmy Goats live for up to 15 years
- They are descendants of West African Dwarf goats.
- American Pygmy Goats eat grains and grasses
- They average between 15-24 in high
- They don’t shed their horns
- They are very social animals
Description
Pygmy goats are small, only growing to 20 inches high, and have a range of colors. They have nonexistent beards for females and a full mane for males.
These goats have two-toed hooves, rectangular pupils, and a four-chambered stomach that allows them to consume large amounts of food in a short amount of time. They have short legs and a stocky body.
They get their small size from achondroplasia, a gene mutation that causes dwarfism.
They come in three color classifications:
- Caramel
- Agouti
- Black
and seven recognized color variations.
People started raising them as companion animals when they were imported to the United States.
American Pygmy Goat Physical Characteristics
The American Pygmy is a small, stocky breed with heavy bone, and seven color variations are recognized in the breed standard.
American Pygmy Goat Diet
They like to eat grains and grasses, fruits and vegetables like apples and carrots. They thrive on hay, alfalfa, chaff, maize, and several other grains for variety.
Habitat and Distribution
Pygmy goats originate from West Africa and are highly fertile and resistant to nematode infections. They are also the most common and valuable livestock in west and central Africa.
Behavior
Pygmy goats are grazers that prefer leaves, plants, twigs, shrubs, and vines over grass. They also eat tree bark, garbage, and tin cans and can eat large quantities of food quickly in open areas.
They can live in many different habitats, including rocky hillsides and grassy plains with a nearby water source.
Predators and threats
A newborn baby goat is very vulnerable to being killed by dogs and coyotes. These two species provide the greatest threat. It is possible for bobcats, birds of prey, and foxes to kill a newborn goat because of its tiny size, but this also depends on the environment in which the goat lives.
Reproduction and Offspring
Pygmy goat females begin their cycle late fall/winter after they reach sexual maturity at age one and give birth to one to two kids that weigh 2 to 4 pounds at birth.
They can reach sexual maturity as early as two months of age and can have one to four baby goats per live birth.
Conservation Status
The population of these goats is unknown, but they are found in zoos and farms across the United States.
Because they are often found in zoos and on farms, their population appears to be thriving.
Pygmy Goats Health
Pygmy goats need vaccinations for all potential diseases. They should also have their hooves trimmed once every 4 weeks.
They need ample space to graze and pasture.
