ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base

Capra Aegagrus: The Wild Goat Species

The wild goat (Capra aegagrus) is a species of mammal belonging to the Artiodactyl class and ruminant animal found in mountainous areas across Europe, Asia Minor, Central Asia, and the Middle East. This agile creature has been observed climbing vertical rocky slopes with ease.

First described by Johann Christian Polycarp Erxleben in 1777 as Capra aegagrus, this species was later given alternative names such as Capra blythi for wild goat horns found in Sindh and Aegiagrus. The Pictus or kri-kri is now considered an feral goat (Capra hircus), distinct from the wild goat.

The wild goat's distribution spans across various regions, including Anatolia, Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East. In Greece, the Aegean and Cretan species are particularly well-known. The animal's lifespan ranges between 12 to 22 years in the wild.

Physical Characteristics

Wild goats exhibit a range of physical characteristics depending on their subspecies. For instance, males have white fur with a silvery tint in winter, accompanied by black or brown lower parts of the face and a distinctive black line along the back. In contrast, females display yellowish-gray coloration throughout the year, with dark black lines.

Both male and female wild goats possess horns, although those of males are larger in size. The length of female horns ranges between 20 to 30 centimeters, while those of males can reach up to 1.3 meters.

Social Structure

Wild goats exhibit a unique social structure, where males live alone or in small groups of four to five individuals with a hierarchical system among them. During the breeding season, males expel younger males from their herds to prevent competition and mating with females. Females typically give birth to one kid after an approximately 170-day gestation period.

In contrast, female wild goats form large herds that can range from 5 to 500 individuals. These herds are often led by a dominant female, while younger males may wander on their own or join smaller groups of females.

Conservation Status

The wild goat is listed as being in an almost threatened category due to the danger posed by peeling (peeling refers to the removal of horns) in the wild life. This practice has significant implications for the species' survival