Mountain goats are not in the same genus as domestic goats. They live west of the continental divide, which tends to follow the peaks of the rocky mountains and the andes in south america. The extinct ones are called harrington's mountain goat, which vanished from their territory around 13 thousand years ago. And so now there are introduced populations in colorado, utah, montana and washington.
Mountain goats are not goats. And there’s only one living species, Oreamnos americanus. WHAT?? Montana-based wildlife biologist and Oreamnologist Julie Cunningham counts mountain goats from helicopters, traps and tests them for science, and spends even her off days searching for them on mountaintops. We cover their population, sensual mating habits, the feel of their wool, pungent goatwhiff, tips for hikers and how these animals defy gravity scaling near-vertical cliffs. Oh also, why your favorite trail might be delicious.
Julie Cunningham’s bio
A donation was made to the Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance: GoatAlliance.org
You may also enjoy: Cervidology (DEER), Bovine Neuropathology (HEADBUTTING), Neuropathology (CONCUSSIONS), Cryoseismology (ICEQUAKES), Bryology (MOSS), Phenology (SEASONS)
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Sound editing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media
Transcripts by Emily White of The Wordary
Website by Kelly R. Dwyer
Theme song by Nick Thorburn