Goats are intelligent, curious animals and can be easily trained to pull carts and walk on leads. They are also very coordinated and can hold their balance on very small surfaces. They tend to spread across fields and ranges when grazing together, instead of grouping and grazing side by side like sheep. Not easily intimidated, they will usually turn and face an intruder, and a buck will even charge if threatened.

Known as browsing animals, goats will taste and chew on almost anything that resembles plant matter to decide whether it is edible. The staples of their diet are grasses and alfalfa.

One of the oldest domesticated animals, goats have been farmed for their milk, meat, hair and skin. Goats reach maturity at around three to 15 months depending on breed and nutrition, which is controlled by breeders or farmers. The gestation period is about 150 days, with twin or triplet births being common.

Goats are prey to several larger mammal predators, such as leopards, tigers, reptiles and, very commonly, humans.

Originated in Eastern Europe and Asia but are now commonly domesticated almost everywhere.