Mountain goats inhabit high-elevation tundra, grassy slopes, and alpine and subalpine meadows intermixed with forest. Breeding season - The breeding season of mountain goats is from October through early December. Gestation - The gestation period is 180 days. At about 6 weeks of age mountain goats begin to forage near their mothers. Mountain goats inhabit rugged terrain comprised of cliffs, ledges, projecting pinnacles, and talus slopes.
Goats usually remain at or above timberline and within reach of rocky outcrops.
Deep snows frequently force them to lower elevations. Grassy slide-rock slopes are major use areas in spring, summer, and fall. Alpine meadows are frequented most from July through August. Suitable winter ranges may be at lower elevations where snow is less abundant and persistent, or on relatively unforested, steep, mostly south-facing slopes where snow sheds rapidly. At low elevations, particularly near the Pacific Coast, a conifer canopy may benefit wintering mountain goats by intercepting and redistributing snow and by providing forage.