Black prairie goat (SciiFii)

The black prairie goat (Oreamos nebraskansis), also known simply as the prairie goat, is a species of caprine that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the grasslands and bush country across North America to help boost biodiversity. Although primarily living in grasslands, the black prairie goat can live in the open plateaus and semi-deserts as well. As the name foreshadows, this goat is named for its black fur. In a unique evolutionary development, the fur of the black prairie goat is designed to keep the goat cool during the summer daytime heat by acting as a form of insulation (similar to a camel's wool), and to keep it warm enough during the summer night. This allows the black-colored animal to be active during the hottest part of the day with less fear of dehydration. During the winter, these goats grow an extra outer layer of black wool. they grow to be 4 feet long, can be 2 feet tall, and weigh up to 120 pounds. They are intermediate in size between the mountain goat and the canyon goat. the males' horns reach lengths of 5-7 inches. Like most goats, the black prairie goat is a mixed feeder; one minute they'll graze on grasses and sedges, the next they'll be browsing on shrubs. These goats can go without directly drinking water for up to 4 days, and can extract a considerable amount of moisture from their food to help them last that long; this is an adaptation for life in semi-arid regions. They live in family herds of 2-3 dozen. they will feed alongside other herbivores such as peccaries, cervids, horses, capybara, camelids, bison, elephants, and pronghorns. During the rut, males become territorial and will form harems of females and fight off male competitors. Gestation lasts about 3.5 months. Prairie goats usually give birth to 2-4 young. By the time they are 10 months old, black prairie goats are able to look after themselves, and usually leave their mother's side at that age. The conservation status of the black prairie goat is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the black prairie goat's wide range and its tolerance to most of human activities, including being able to adapt to life in the cities and suburbs.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii