A mountain goat chews grass in the Princeton area.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Doug Giles
March 21, 2024 - 6:00 AM
The sure-footed mountain goat is a hardy animal known for its ability to navigate steep terrain and even the most narrow of rocky ledges.
With fluffy white coats, muscular shoulders and comical beards, it is no wonder mountain goats are a popular subject for photographers in Kamloops and the Okanagan.
BC is home to half of the world’s population of the goats and they can be found living in most mountain ranges excluding coastal islands, according to a provincial government web page.
The goats are able to live in steep, rocky terrain because of their massive forequarters, muscular shoulders and unique hooves that have a rough texture for traction and toes that can spread wide for balance.
A mountain goat with a shaggy coat is spotted in the Princeton area.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Doug Giles
It can be hard to differentiate between the males and females, but the females are smaller in size and their horns are more curved and slender.
The goats mate in November and December and will start having kids at the end of May.
The mountain goat population is considered stable but is threatened by commercial backcountry recreation, industrial development and habitat loss.
If you have photos of mountain goats you want to share, send them to news@infonews.ca.
A herd of mountain goats sunbathe on a hill in Summerland.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Lilian Blashko
A pair of mountain goats are seen foraging near Summerland.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Lilian Blashko
A mountain goat rests in the shade in the Similkameen.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Lois Carson Dickinson
A mountain goat stands on rocky terrain in the Similkameen.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ George Thompson
This mountain goat in the Similkameen easily balances on a rocky outcrop.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ George Thompson
The curved horns and long beard of a mountain goat in the Similkameen can be seen up close.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Lois Carson Dickinson
A mountain goat stands in the snow on a hillside in the Kamloops area.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Dennis Kitto
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