Mountain Goat
Oreamnos americanus
Oreamnos americanus are easily recognizable by their pure white, shaggy coat, which provides insulation in their high-altitude habitat. They have a stocky build and relat…
How to identify
Oreamnos americanus are easily recognizable by their pure white, shaggy coat, which provides insulation in their high-altitude habitat. They have a stocky build and relatively short, sturdy legs. Both sexes possess sharp, black, dagger-like horns that curve slightly backward. Male horns tend to be thicker and have more pronounced growth rings. They also have a distinctive beard of longer hair under their chin.
Range
Oreamnos americanus, is native to the mountainous regions of western North America. Their range extends from southeastern Alaska and the Yukon Territory south through British Columbia, Alberta, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and into smaller portions of Oregon, Wyoming, Utah, and even isolated areas of Nevada. Introduced populations also exist in a few eastern states.
Habitat
Oreamnos americanus are highly adapted to steep, rocky, alpine and subalpine terrain. They inhabit cliffs, ledges, and rugged slopes, often above the tree line. Their specialized hooves with soft, textured pads and flexible toes provide excellent traction on precarious surfaces. They may descend to lower elevations in winter to find forage.
Similar species
The white coat and black horns of Oreamnos americanus make them quite distinct in most of their range. Ovis dalli can be found in some overlapping areas but are typically white (or dark in some subspecies) with curled, yellowish horns and lack the goat-like build and beard. Bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) have a brown coat and large, curling horns.
Name and etymology
Genus
Oreamnos
Greek for mountain (oros) lamb (amnos)
Origin
Sources
- Palmer, Index Generum Mammalium (1904) ↗
Palmer, T. S. 1904. Index Generum Mammalium: a list of the genera and families of mammals. North American Fauna 23. Government Printing Office, Washington. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.39809
Species epithet
americanus
Latin for of America
Origin
Sources
- Wikipedia: Oreamnos americanus ↗
“Oreamnos americanus.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_goat
- Wikipedia: Lepus americanus ↗
“Lepus americanus.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowshoe_hare
Explore more names in the etymology index.
At a glance
Range
Oreamnos americanus, is native to the mountainous regions of western North America. Their range extends from southeastern Ala…
Habitat
Oreamnos americanus are highly adapted to steep, rocky, alpine and subalpine terrain. They inhabit cliffs, ledges, and rugged…
Guide
Mammals of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap