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A
fainting goat is a breed of domestic goat whose muscles freeze for
roughly 10 seconds when the goat is startled. Though painless, this
generally results in the animal collapsing on its side. The characteristic
is caused by a hereditary genetic disorder called myotonia congenita.
When startled, younger goats will stiffen and fall over. Older goats
learn to spread their legs or lean against something when startled,
and often they continue to run about in an awkward, stiff-legged
shuffle. Slightly smaller than standard breeds of goat, fainting
goats are generally 43 to 64 centimeters (17 to 25 in) tall and
can weigh anywhere from 27 to 75 kilograms (50 to 165 lb). They
have large, prominent eyes in high sockets, and exist in as many
colors as standard breeds do. Hair can be short or long, with certain
individuals producing a great deal of cashmere during colder months.
There appears to be no angora strain of the fainting goat. Common
coat colors are black and white, however, most possible coat colors
are found in this breed. Their life expectancy is 12 to 15 years.[1]
The origin of the fainting goat is peculiar. The goats appear to
have arrived in Marshall County, Tennessee in the early 1800s, courtesy
of a reclusive farm worker named Jon Tinsley who was most likely
from Nova Scotia. Before he left the area, he sold his goats — three
does and a buck — to Dr. H.H. Mayberry, who bred them. Fainting
goats have many other names, including Tennessee (Meat) Goats, Nervous
Goats, Stiff-leg Goats, Wooden-leg Goats, and Tennessee Scare Goats.
They are smaller and somewhat easier to care for and maintain than
larger meat goat breeds, which makes the fainting goat desirable
for smaller farms. They are also raised as pet or show animals as
they can be friendly, intelligent, easy to keep, and amusing.
Source:
wikipedia
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