Balearean Goat | Online Record Book Preview

Capra aegagrus Erxleben, 1777

Cabra mallorquina (Sp) Boc Balear (Catalàn) Mallorca Ziege (G) Majorcan agrimi (British English) Chevre Balear (F) Balearean Goat (American English)

The oldest remains of this species have been dated to 2030 B.C. by archeologists that have studied the fauna of the Mediterranean Sea. The Balearean Goat is indigenous to the Balearean Island of Mallorca. These animals are completely wild, the biggest threat to their existence being the cross-breeding with domestic livestock.

DESCRIPTION (male) Shoulder height about 28 inches ( 71 cm ), average weight is 100-110 pounds (45-50 kg). Females are smaller. The Balearean Goat browses on leaves, twigs and weeds and are therefore highly destructive feeders. Able to climb trees and feed in the branches. They are diurnal and all senses are good.

DISTRIBUTION Island of Mallorca, one of the Balearean Islands in the Mediterranean Sea. There mainly on the entire west coast and north-west in the Sierra de Tramuntana and the Formentor, Alcudia and Artá Peninsulas.

WARNING TO HUNTERS on the island, one can also find introduced Feral Goat; the coats of these animals usually show three or more colors in a spotted pattern. Only goats depicting the clear "black cross over reddish brown coat" will be accepted as Balearean Goat by SCI. Or put differently: not every goat hunted in Mallorca is automatically a Balearean Goat.