How Do Goats Climb?

To understand how goats climb, you first have to understand their feet and bodies. Goats have split hooves with a hard outer rim and a soft, grippy pad, plus strong legs and great balance. Here's how that lets them handle steep, rocky ground.

Are Goats Great Climbers?

Yes. Goats are one of the most common farm animals, and they're known for climbing. Domestic goats happily climb rocks, hay bales, fences and even cars, and they have an excellent sense of balance.

Goats don't have claws. Each foot is a cloven (split) hoof with two toes. The hard outer edge of the hoof bites into small ledges, while the softer pad underneath grips the surface.

When they climb, goats use their front legs to reach and pull and their back legs to push themselves upward.

In Morocco, goats are famous for climbing argan trees to eat the leaves and fruit. Goat keepers should still watch climbing goats, since falls from fences and structures can injure them.

Can Goats Climb Straight Up?

Goats are very strong and agile animals, but there is a limit. They can't climb a truly vertical, smooth surface.

Their hooves are built for rocky, uneven ground. They need small ledges, cracks or footholds. On a smooth, slick wall, their hooves will slip.

How high a goat climbs also depends on the terrain and its motivation. A goat that wants food badly enough will scramble up a leaning tree trunk or steep slope to reach it.

How Do Goats Climb Vertically?

The best cliff climbers are North American mountain goats. According to the National Park Service, mountain goats aren't true goats at all. They are related to antelopes.

Mountain goats have strong, muscular forequarters. Their powerful shoulders and front legs let them pull their bodies up rocky ledges.

When climbing, they keep their bodies close to the rock and their weight balanced over small footholds. That helps them avoid slipping.

How Do Goats Climb Steep Mountains?

The hoof is the key. The NPS describes mountain goat hooves as split and pliable, with soft rubbery pads and a hard outer lining.

The hard outer lining is made of keratin, like our fingernails. It catches on small edges in the rock. The soft pad grips like the sole of a climbing shoe.

The two toes can spread apart, which helps the hoof grip uneven rock. The toes can also close together to pinch small edges.

Here's how they travel on steep ground:

Keeping their feet planted on small footholds close beneath their body – This helps keep their weight balanced and reduces the risk of slipping.

Using strong shoulders and legs to pull and push upward – Powerful forequarters let them lift their bodies from ledge to ledge.

How Do Goats Climb Trees?

Goats don't grip branches the way a cat or monkey does. Instead, they balance their hooves on branches and use their strong legs and good balance to step from limb to limb.

Like other hoofed animals, goats walk on their toes. What looks like a backward-bending "knee" on the hind leg is actually the hock, which matches our ankle.

Goats also have two small dewclaws higher up on the back of each leg, which can add grip on steep or soft ground.

Their trees of choice have low, sloping trunks and spreading branches, like the argan trees of Morocco. A tall, straight trunk is much harder for them.

Conclusion

Goats are sure-footed climbers that can live on rugged land. They don't have claws; instead, their split hooves combine a hard outer rim with a soft, grippy pad.

Strong legs and shoulders, good balance and a light, agile body let them move across rocky cliffs, steep slopes and even low-growing trees. They can't climb smooth, vertical walls.

FAQs

Why Do Mountain Goats Climb Mountains?

Mostly for safety. The NPS notes that mountain goats are at home on cliffs where few predators, such as cougars, will follow. Cliffs and nearby slopes also give them plants, lichens and mosses to eat.

Can a goat climb anything?

No. Goats can climb many surfaces with footholds, such as rocks, fences, hay bales and sloping trees. They can't climb a smooth vertical wall. Use sturdy fencing without footholds to keep goats in.

Sources

• Mountain Goats, North Cascades National Park, National Park Service