Goats were domesticated roughly 10,000 years ago. Today, there are roughly 300 breeds of domesticated goats. The wild goat (Capra aegagrus) still remains in fragmented habitat from Turkey to Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The smallest breeds, like the Nigerian dwarf weighs only 45 pounds; while larger breeds, like the Boer, can weigh up to 300 pounds.
At Reid Park Zoo:
There are three species of goats at the Zoo: Boer, Oberhasli, and Nigerian dwarf goats.
- Boer goats can be traced to the Dutch farmers of South Africa in the 1900’s. Boer is a Dutch word meaning farmer.
- The Oberhasli is a dairy goat from central Switzerland. This breed is of medium size, vigorous and alert in appearance.
- The Nigerian dwarf is a miniature goat from West Africa. It has since been domesticated as a dairy goat and can be found throughout the world.