Mount Rainier National Park is conducting a study of mountain goats in the park through the use of observational data provided from park staff and visitors. The objectives of the study are: determine the mountain goat distribution within the park, population status, habitat preference, and seasonal movements. Little is known about the distribution and population size of mountain goats in Mount Rainier National Park, although visitors and park staff observe many goats each summer. This study is an attempt to record these observations and to use them to learn more about the goats. As a visitor to Mount Rainier you can help by providing valuable information by completing a Mountain Goat Sighting Card, which is available at all Hiker Information Centers and Ranger Stations in the park.
Mountain goats have a
white coat of dense, long, soft hair. The hairs on the chin are
elongated into a beard. Goats weigh between 150 and 250 pounds
(70 to 110 Kg) and are about 3 feet (1 m) high. Both sexes have
slender, black, spike-like horns. It is difficult to tell the
difference between sexes. Males are usually larger than females
and longer hairs on their hind legs and stouter horns. The horns
are not shed but continue to grow throughout the life of the
animal. There are four hooves on each foot, but only two of these
ordinarily strike the ground. The hooves have sharp edges and
spongy inner areas. Click on the picture of the mountain goat for a larger photograph.
Mountain goats live on cliffs and rocky slopes around Mount Rainier. They can scramble with amazing agility on cliffs, glaciers and snowfields. They usually occur in small groups but larger groups of up to 40 animals have been observed. They are active during the day and night, but their daytime activities may be interrupted by periods of rest when they seek the shelter of overhanging cliffs or rocks. Goats eat grasses and grass-like plants but will occasionally browse on woody plants.
Mountain goats breed in the fall and kids are born in spring after a gestation period of about 150 days. They appear to monogamous with one billy mating with one nanny. The kids weigh about 6 pounds at birth and twins are fairly common. The kids are able to scramble about on the cliffs within days of being born.
For more information on this study write the Park Ecologist at Mount Rainier National Park, Star Route, Tahoma Woods, Ashford, WA 98304.