Angora Goat

Looks how to spot one

Long, lustrous ringlets of mohair

The Angora goat is covered from head to toe (except the face and legs) in a remarkable coat of long, silky ringlets. This fleece, known as mohair, is finer and more lustrous than the hair of other goat breeds. The undercoat grows much longer than the outer coat, giving the fleece its characteristic soft, curly appearance.12

Personality what they are like

Angora goats are known for their quiet, gentle and friendly nature. They are not aggressive towards humans, making them a pleasant breed to handle. However, during the rutting season, males can become competitive and may cause injury to other goats with their horns.42

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Angora goats are active browsers that need space to roam and forage. They spend more than 50% of their time browsing on bushes, shrubs and tree leaves, and less than 40% grazing. They require secure fencing, such as five-wire electric or woven-wire fencing, as they like to go under or through obstacles.42

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

The most important care requirement is shearing, which is done twice a year (usually March/April and September/October). Goats should be kept dry for two days before shearing, as wet mohair is very difficult to shear and can mould in storage. After shearing, they are vulnerable to cold and wet weather for 4-6 weeks and need shelter.42

Home where they are happiest

They thrive in semi-arid regions with dry, hot summers and cold winters. They need shelter from rain and snow, especially after shearing. Secure fencing is essential. They are well-suited to pastures with brush and rough plants.25

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Angora goats are herbivores and natural browsers. They prefer brush, tree leaves, sagebrush, weeds and rough plants over grass. They can be pastured with sheep or cattle as each species prefers different plants. They can help control nuisance plants like leafy spurge, multiflora roses and Canadian thistle.42

Company who they like around

Angora goats are social animals that do best in herds. They can be pastured peacefully with other livestock such as sheep or cattle. They are generally healthy and have quiet dispositions. There are no known restrictions on keeping them as pets in most countries, but local livestock ordinances should always be checked.42

The story where it all began

The Angora goat was developed in the region around Ankara (formerly Angora) in Turkey, possibly as early as 2,500 years ago. The breed was kept by the Turkish people for its fine fleece, which they spun and wove into mohair fabric. The first Western description was published in 1555 by Pierre Belon. The goats were first successfully exported in the mid-19th century, with populations established in South Africa in 1838 and the United States (Texas) in 1849. Today they are found worldwide and have given rise to several other breeds.124

Recognised by the official bits

How many 3500002