What’s a Baby Goat Called + 4 More Amazing Facts!

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© iStock.com/Tutye

Written by Sadie Dunlap

Updated: April 5, 2023

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Have you ever wondered what a baby goat is called? How about why they have strangely shaped eyes? We have all the answers (and more!) you could possibly need to know about goat babies. 

Let’s start by discovering what a baby goat is called and then get into 5 interesting facts and cute photos! 

#1: Baby Goats are Called a Kids

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Baby goats are called kids.

©iStock.com/NikiTaxidisPhotography

A baby goats is called a kid! A group of kids is called a tribe or a herd of kids. 

Did you know the act of a mother goat giving birth is called kidding? 

What about that the goat is the only baby in the animal kingdom that’s called a kid? That is if you don’t count human babies, of course! 

#2: Goats are Born with Rectangular-Shaped Pupils

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A goat kid’s pupils gives them amazing peripheral vision.

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Kids are certainly not known as a predator in the animal kingdom. Consequently, they’ve evolved to have incredible peripheral vision to avoid becoming prey! 

Baby goats are born with rectangular pupils. This allows them to be able to see a wider range of their surroundings, therefore keeping them safer. Goats can also see extremely well in the dark since their oddly shaped pupils allow plenty of light in.

In addition to increasing their peripheral vision, these rectangular pupils also allow kids to see in several directions at once. This means that when a threat is near, these adorable mammals are able to see it coming much quicker than animals who lack this ability. This is a prime example of how evolution helps animals survive!

#3: Goat Kids Have Four Chambered Stomachs 

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A goat’s stomach has four chambers.

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Herbivores have a diet that consists mostly of plants and grass. However, this can make it difficult for baby goats to get the nutrition they need. Consequently, they are born with four-chambered stomachs.

These chambers are to allow them to get all the possible energy and nutrients from the food they eat without having to completely chew it up. Once the food is halfway chewed, they swallow it. Then, microorganisms in their chambered stomachs do the rest of the hard work. While their tummies are hard at work, they’re busy finding more grass to graze on.

#4: Goats Can Pick Up an Accent

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Goat kids can pick up an accent based on where they’re from.

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The calls a goat makes are called bleats. Just like a human baby, goat kids let you know when they’re in need of something through their voice. Another thing goat babies have in common with us is the fact that they can have regional accents. In fact, goat kids can sometimes even be identified by the sound of their bleat.

#5: Baby Goats Can Stand As Soon As Birth 

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Goats can walk very soon after birth, sometimes immediately.

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Goats are born fully developed. Assuming the mother goat and baby are healthy, usually, the newborn kid will be able to walk right away or within a few minutes of birth. Kids are silly, playful animals.

Goat kids also quickly learn how to run. By the time they are around one year old, they are coordinated enough to start running, jumping, and playing with the other babies in their herd.

Some of their favorite activities include running and jumping off of rocks, hills, and even hay bales! Goat kids also love to play with other babies in their families, and can often be seen running around and roughhousing with other baby goats.


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