One to 3 precocial young are born, averaging 2. Goats can be highly destructive to natural vegetation, and have contributed to erosion, the spread of deserts, and the disappearance of wildlife in Middle East and Mediterranean areas, Hawaiian Islands, and other island locations. In some cases, areas may be left devoid of vegetation, or in early successional stages. Goats will compete with black-tailed deer. Such use must be controlled carefully, to keep the goats from eating unintended plant species.
Potential predators are mountain lions, coyotes, bobcats, and domestic dogs.
Patterns of mammalian reproduction. Press, Ithaca, Ny. 670pp. Coblentz, B. E. 1976. Wild goats of Santa Catalina. Coblentz, B. E. 1977.