They have a four-chambered stomach consisting of the rumen, the reticulum, the omasum, and the abomasum. ![]() Their horns are made of living bone surrounded by keratin and other proteins, and are used for defense, dominance, and territoriality. Breeding together two genetically polled goats results in a high number of intersex individuals among the offspring, which are typically sterile. Unlike cattle, goats have not been successfully bred to be reliably polled, as the genes determining sex and those determining horns are closely linked. There have been incidents of polycerate goats (having as many as eight horns), although this is a genetic rarity thought to be inherited. Most goats naturally have two horns, of various shapes and sizes depending on the breed. At the bottom of the size range are miniature breeds such as the African Pygmy, which stand 41 to 58 cm (16 to 23 in) at the shoulder as adults. Within each breed, different strains or bloodlines may have different recognized sizes. Anatomy and healthĮach recognized breed of goat has specific weight ranges, which vary from over 140 kg (300 lb) for bucks of larger breeds such as the Boer, to 20 to 27 kg (45 to 60 lb) for smaller goat does. It has also been used to produce parchment. Historically, goat hide has been used for water and wine bottles in both traveling and transporting wine for sale. Studies of DNA evidence suggests 10,000 years ago as the domestication date. Goat remains have been found at archaeological sites in Jericho, Choga Mami, Djeitun, and Çayönü, dating the domestication of goats in Western Asia at between 8,000 and 9,000 years ago. The earliest remnants of domesticated goats dating 10,000 years Before Present are found in Ganj Dareh in Iran. ![]() ![]() Neolithic farmers began to herd wild goats primarily for easy access to milk and meat, as well as to their dung, which was used as fuel and their bones, hair, and sinew were used for clothing, building, and tools. The most recent genetic analysis confirms the archaeological evidence that the wild bezoar ibex of the Zagros Mountains is the likely original ancestor of probably all domestic goats today. Goats are among the earliest animals domesticated by humans.
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