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In the highest reaches of the craggy Rocky Mountains live the hearty and resilient mountain goats. Not to be confused with bighorn sheep, these furry animals thrive in the harsh environment of precipitous cliffs and frigid weather. Each spring, the snowpack melts, sending dangerous rapids down the mountainside, and these tough creatures have to navigate across the fast-moving waterfalls.
In the following video, you will see a heart-racing scene as the herd successfully crosses the raging river by leaping from rock to rock. But the littlest member of the group initially loses his confidence when it’s his turn to cross.

©Eivor Kuchta/Shutterstock.com
Baby mountain goats stick close to their mothers for about one year.
Where Do Mountain Goats Live?
Mountain goats thrive in the wildest regions of North America. Their range includes the northern Rocky and Cascade Mountains and other mountain ranges in the northwest US and Canada, extending up into Alaska. These fascinating creatures can’t be found anywhere else in the world but in North America. The largest population of mountain goats lives in British Columbia.
Survival Tactics
Mountain goats not only survive their craggy, high-altitude habitat but thrive there. Climbing to heights of over 13,000 feet, they have made their homes in the harshest of environments to escape predators and are sometimes the largest mammals in these high altitudes. They have evolved with hooves made especially for climbing with a hard outer shell, spongy foot pad, and two independently moving toes that help them grip the rocks.
Their muscular shoulders and hindquarters allow them to climb, jump, and scramble over the rocky terrain. They can jump as much as 12 feet to leap from rock to rock. Their thick, shaggy winter coat keeps them warm through frigid cold winters and sheds during the summer.
Are Mountain Goats Related to Goats?
Although they are called goats and are part of the Bovidae family, mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) are not true goats but are more closely related to antelope. Like antelope, mountain goats are social animals and live in herds. Female mountain goats (nannies) live in groups with their offspring (kids), which can reach up to 20 animals. The males (billies) live in smaller groups with other males. Mountain goats weigh about 100 to 300 pounds, with the males growing larger than the females.
What Helps Baby Mountain Goats Thrive in Rugged Terrain?
Mountain goats breed from November to December and give birth to babies in the spring. The babies (or kids) stay with their mothers for about a year, until the mother has another baby. The mothers give birth on high cliff tops to avoid predators while they are vulnerable. The little ones have to get the hang of navigating the rocky conditions right away and can stand and walk soon after birth. By the next day, the babies can even scramble over rocks.
Mothers do all they can to protect their young. They will stay behind the baby when going up steep climbs to help break the fall if the baby stumbles. They are also fierce protectors and will put themselves in between their babies and a predator. By climbing up hard-to-reach places, mountain goats try to avoid encountering predators such as wolves, bears, and wolverines.
The following video shows just how treacherous things can get for young mountain goats in their dangerous terrain. Watch the suspenseful journey this little one has to endure to keep up with its herd.
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