If you want to learn all about fainting goats, a visit to a goat farm that raises these unique farm animals can be an excellent learning experience. They are called fainting goats because they look like they faint, falling over on their side as a response to fear or startling.

When a fainting goat is young, he learns rather quickly that his muscles will literally freeze automatically when he is fearful. It is a systemic, involuntary response and therefore can not be controlled by the goat’s desire to perform a different action. As the goat grows up a bit, he does learn that he doesn’t have to allow his body to fall down but rather he might lean against an object suitable for holding him up or try to run with frozen muscles.

The stiff legged running of a fainting goat can be entertaining for humans. The goat may also choose to attempt to distance his feet so that he can maintain his balance even though his muscles have frozen.

This phenomenon is unique to the breed and is caused by a genetic mutation. The mutation, known as myotonia, has been intentionally bred into the goats to maintain the trait. The fainting goat weighs anywhere from 60 pounds to possibly 200 pounds, and are smaller in size than most goats that are used for meat. The trend is to breed the goats as small as possible as they tend to make pets for goat enthusiasts.

These goats only look like they are fainting. They do not actually experience any kind of loss of consciousness and are awake. They are still acutely aware of their surroundings, which is why the goat tries to find an alternative to falling over as he grows older.

Whether intentionally bred or a general trait, the fainting goat is a friendly and personable animal. He is smart and can learn commands very similarly to the way a dog can learn commands. As show animals and pets, they are highly social and engage with their humans in a gregarious and gentle manner that endears them to those who are exposed to them.

These goats share most characteristics with other meat goats, with the exception of their smaller size and their much more pronounced eyes. The eyes seem to protrude right out of their sockets, giving them an endearing bulging eye look. While they are also considered to be meat goats, today they are primarily sold as pets and are not used often for slaughter. The American Livestock Breed Conservancy has qualified them as livestock that needs to be conserved.

At one point they were used as sacrificial animals for the higher priced livestock. When wolves or other predators were close enough to be a threat, the goats would fall to their side and the predator would choose to eat them over the more active livestock they surrounded. This is not common practice anymore for many reasons, including technological advancements and the common concept that this is cruel since the goats do not lose consciousness when on their side.

The scientific community is learning all about fainting goats as there is a wealth of information available that helps explain genetic mutations and their role in evolution. For many, these goats are a great way to connect the public with some of the more intimate scientific findings regarding mutation.

Did you learn that their is real fainting goats? Their called Boer goats and their muscles get tense when they get scared and that’s what causes them to fall over. Do you want to learn more? If you do, you’re only a click of a button away.