Goats are hardy cliff dwellers, preferring an arid climate. They live in herds and feed on grass, weeds, shrubs, and other vegetation. Domestic goats, varieties of Capra hircus, are found throughout the world, most abundantly in Asia. They are raised for milk, flesh, hair and wool, skins, and, in certain areas, to control scrub growth. Goat's milk is easily digested and has greater protein and fat content than that of cows.
Many dairy goats are hornless.
The Cashmere goat is raised in central Asia, N India, and Iran for the wool of its downy undercoat. The Spanish, or common, goat, familiar in the Southwest, was brought to Mexico by early Spanish settlers. Goats are classified in the phylum Chordata , subphylum Vertebrata, class Mammalia, order Artiodactyla, family Bovidae. Licensed from Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.