Pygmy goat

Capra aegagrus hircus

Two pygmy goats in the Hellabrunn Zoo both eat from a large pile of vegetables. IUCN Red List endangerment category:
  • Family
    Bovids (Bovidae)
  • Weight
    18 – 25 kg
  • Habitat
    Wet savannahs and forests

Colourful animal

Pygmy goats come in a wide variety of colours and coat patterns. They range from pure white to brown-black pied, or any pattern combination of these colours. Both the male and female have horns, which are small and sickle-shaped.

One dwarf goat kitten.

Little master of survival

The pygmy goat is the smallest breed of goat in the world. The growth of cartilage in the body is inhibited by a genetic change in the goat, which limits bone development. The resulting dwarfism gives the pygmy goat a robust appearance and allows the hardy animal to thrive even in rugged terrain with little vegetation.

Pygmy goats give birth to their first offspring before they are one-year-old. Additionally, they give birth to twins, sometimes even triplets.

Distribution

Distribution