Schneeziege Oreamnos americanus (De Blainville, 1816)
English: Mountain Goat; French: Chèvre des Montagnes Rocheuses; Cree: mathateke; Dogrip: sahzhoa; Navajo: Tse-Ta Dzi; South Slavey: ?ehmba.
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Former distribution: As now.
Present distribution: Alaska from Cook Inlet, east to the Yukon border, south-west to Mackenzie, south to western Montana, Idaho and Oregon; introduced into South Dakota, 1924, Baranof, Chichagof and Kodiak Islands in Alaska, also into Colorado, and the Olympic National Park in Washington.
Behaviour: Preferred habitat: alpine and subalpine areas of the northern Rocky Mountains, with steep cliffs; usually in groups of 4 or 5, larger herds formed in winter, when they migrate from summer to winter feeding grounds; activity both diurnal and no cturnal; diet consists of various grasses, but also herbaceous and woody plants, as well lichens and mosses. They are excellent climbers. Predators include mountain lions, wolves, bears and eagles.
Population status: Estimated numbers: Alaska: 12 000; Yukon and Mackenzie: no records; Montana: 4500; Idaho: 2800; Washington: 5000; South Dakota: 3-4000; Colorado: 400.
Brief notes:
Body weight: 100-140 kg
Head and body length: 130-178 cm
Tail length: 10-20 cm
Shoulder height: 50-60 cm
Gestation period: 178 days
Maximum age: 14 years
Trophy: Record SCI: 35 score, 1980 Canada, B.C. JACKIE O. ARNOLD; average 27 score. B&C: 118 score, 1956 USA, Montana, PETER LAIRD; average 50 score.
Hunting methods: Stalking.
Subspecies: 4 have been described: O.a. americanus, O.a. kennedyi, O.a. missoulai, O.a. columbia; acc. COWAN and MCCRORY 1970, no distinct characteristic could be found to distinguish the subspecies; therefore omitted here.
Remarks: The mountain goat populations are well managed and hunting controlled by law; an increase of these mountain animals is slowly being achieved.
Bilder:
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