We often hear tales of mountain-climbing goats known as ibex, but witnessing goats that climb trees with the agility of monkeys is truly extraordinary.
While we are familiar with the mountain-scaling and forest-navigating abilities of goats, the Moroccan goats’ tree-climbing skills are truly fascinating.
In arid conditions, where water and food are scarce, these goats have adapted to a life in the trees. The Moroccan goats can effortlessly ascend tiny branches, maintaining an extraordinary balance. Despite swaying branches and gusts of wind, they stand firm.
Not only do they stand steadfast on tree branches, but they can also leap accurately from one branch to another, reminiscent of monkeys.
The structure of the Moroccan tree-climbing goats’ feet is intriguing, perfectly suited to their climbing behavior. Their split hooves, with two toes on each side, can be extended or flexed to grip onto branches. Their feet are soft, flexible, and equipped with dewclaws, allowing them to cling onto branches securely.
Their preferred food is leaves and fruits of the Argan tree.
The Argan tree only grows in the southwestern region of Morocco, in extremely arid areas. This tree is sparse, like oases in the desert landscape.
Moroccan goats consume both leaves and fruits. Interestingly, the seeds of the Argan fruit are hard and can’t be digested by the goats’ stomachs. These seeds are excreted in the goats’ droppings and are processed by locals into Argan oil, used for cosmetic purposes.
The people of Morocco raise these goats not just for food but primarily to harvest Argan seeds. Women are entrusted with this meticulous task.
The increase in the Moroccan goat population has led to a decrease in the number of Argan trees by half over the last 50 years. Currently, there are only around 21 million of these trees left in the entire southwestern desert region of Morocco.
However, the Moroccan government and its people have no intention of reducing the goat population, as they are a significant source of income.
Countless residents of the Moroccan desert region rely on these goats as their primary income source, making it difficult to control population growth.
Beyond tree climbing, with their exceptional balancing skills, Moroccan goats can even climb nearly vertical walls.