Plumpton Park Zoo · Rising Sun, Maryland
♥ Rescued at Plumpton Park Zoo
♥ Rescued at Plumpton Park Zoo
Pygmy Goat
Capra aegagrus hircus
Small, social and full of curiosity. Discover pygmy goats at Plumpton Park Zoo in Rising Sun, Maryland.
Animal groupDomestic goat
DietHerbivore
Body shapeSmall and stocky
YoungKid
Field guide
Pygmy Goat at Plumpton Park Zoo
The Pygmy goat is a breed of miniature domestic goat. Both sexes of the African Pygmy goat have horns. They are vegetarians that prefer browse to pasture. To reach high branches they stand on their hind legs. They are agile climbers due in part to the hair that grows between their hooves and gives them traction on smooth surfaces. When threatened, the herd will form a ring with the pregnant females and young in the center. Single births are common the first time, but after that twins or triplets are not uncommon.
Pygmy goats originated in West Africa, where the breed was first known as the Cameroon Dwarf Goat, before being bred worldwide as companion and exhibit animals. Highly social by nature, they live in herds and quickly form bonds with their group, which is part of why they’re such popular petting-zoo animals — they’re generally calm, curious, and comfortable around people. Meet our pygmy goats at Plumpton Park Zoo — plan your visit.
Pygmy describes a particular small goat breed, rather than every goat that happens to be short. The National Pygmy Goat Association describes a compact, muscular animal whose limbs and head are short in proportion to its body.
A breed standard describes an ideal; real animals vary, and a photo alone does not establish pedigree.
Sources: National Pygmy Goat Association breed standard; Oklahoma State University, Breeds of Livestock; Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan).
For teachers and homeschool families
Print our free two-page Pygmy Goat fact sheet: fast facts, words to know, discussion questions and a drawing activity. Teachers may copy and share it freely as long as they credit Plumpton Park Zoo.
Autumn in the goat yard at Plumpton Park Zoo.
At a glance
Pygmy Goat fast facts
Scientific nameCapra aegagrus hircus
Breed originWest Africa
Social groupHerd
StatusDomesticated
At a glance
Size: 16 – 23 inches at shoulder
Weight: 70 – 90 lbs
Lifespan: 15 years
DOMESTICATED
The breed standard limits height, not weight: adults stand 16 to 23⅝ inches at the withers. Weight varies with age, sex and condition.
Sources: National Pygmy Goat Association breed standard; Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan).
1
species, many domestic breeds
Small does not mean a different species
Domestic goats come in many shapes, colors and sizes. Pygmy goats are one breed within that domestic group. A breed is a population shaped through breeding by people; it is not the same thing as a separate wild species.
Both are small, but they are distinct breeds. Avoid making a decision from color alone. A more careful description combines proportions, visible structures and reliable information about the animal’s background.
Sources: National Pygmy Goat Association breed standard; Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan).
Horns up, keeping an eye on the yard.
Behavior
Bleats, body language and climbing
A goat’s call is a bleat. Goats can vary those calls and also communicate through movements and facial expressions. Their social lives are therefore richer than a single sound. Watch what happens before and after a call rather than assuming that every bleat means the same thing.
Goats are natural climbers, so a good goat habitat gives them places to climb, perch and look around.
On the menu
What pygmy goats eat
The Pygmy goat eats hay, grain, grasses and shrubs.
Goats are ruminants. Their digestive system has four compartments, and microbes help process fibrous plants. Chewing cud is another part of that process: partly digested food returns to the mouth for more chewing. A goat may therefore look as though it is eating while standing or resting without taking a fresh bite.
Browsing means eating leaves and shoots from shrubs or other woody plants; grazing focuses on low-growing plants such as grass. Goats can do both. A rounded abdomen is common in this body type and is not, by itself, evidence that an animal is pregnant. Feed and treats should follow the zoo’s posted guidance.
Family life
Kids and their mothers
A baby goat is called a kid. A female is a doe and a male is a buck. Pregnancy is about five months, and twins are common in domestic goats. Kids can stand and follow their mother soon after birth, and she nurses them with milk.
Sources: Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan); Oregon State University Extension 4-H (2020).
A curious goat comes over to say hello.
Compare animals
Three familiar plant eaters
Pygmy goat
A compact domestic goat breed; young are kids.
Sheep
Another domestic bovid; young are lambs.
Alpaca
A South American camelid; young are cria.
All three eat plants, but they have different body shapes and histories. Our sheep and alpaca guides offer further reading before a zoo visit.
Conservation
Pygmy Goat conservation
Domesticated breed
Pygmy goats do not have a global wild-species conservation category: they are a domestic breed maintained through life with people. ‘Domesticated’ describes their history, rather than an IUCN risk level such as Vulnerable or Endangered.
Breed organizations document characteristics and pedigrees, while zoo education helps visitors understand the animals themselves. Learning the distinction between a species, a breed and an individual is useful well beyond goats.
Sources: National Pygmy Goat Association breed standard; Oklahoma State University, Breeds of Livestock.
Support
Help care for our pygmy goats & the animals of Plumpton Park
As a nonprofit zoo, Plumpton Park Zoo relies on admissions, memberships and the generosity of people who believe in what we do. Donations help support animal care, veterinary services, nutritious diets, enrichment, habitat improvements and the continued development of the zoo.
Plumpton Park Zoological Gardens, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations support the zoo’s charitable mission and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Frequently asked questions about pygmy goats
What is a baby goat called?
A baby goat is a kid. Its mother is a doe.
Are all small goats pygmy goats?
No. Pygmy is a particular domestic breed; Nigerian dwarf goats are a distinct breed.
Why do pygmy goats look round?
Their compact body and large digestive capacity contribute to a rounded shape. Shape alone does not show pregnancy.
What sound does a goat make?
A goat’s call is a bleat. Goats also communicate through body movements.
What does browsing mean?
Browsing means eating leaves and shoots from woody plants, rather than mainly grazing grass.
Where can I see pygmy goats in Maryland?
Visit Plumpton Park Zoo in Rising Sun, Maryland. Check Hours and Tickets before your visit.
Sources: Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan); National Pygmy Goat Association breed standard.
See pygmy goats at Plumpton Park Zoo
Plan your visit to Rising Sun, Maryland. Keep learning in the Animal Learning Center, and discover giraffe feeding.