Goat

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/goat

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Capra aegagrus hircus
2. Why can goats climb so well on cliffs and steep rocks?Goats have special hooves with hard edges and soft pads that grip rocks, plus strong leg muscles that keep them balanced. Their body shape and quick reflexes help them move confidently on uneven ground.
3. What do goats eat if they can eat almost anything?Goats are ruminants, meaning they have a four‑chambered stomach that breaks down tough plant material with help from tiny microbes. This lets them eat grasses, leaves, and even some rough plants that other animals can’t digest.

Ruminant: An even-toed ungulate mammal with a specialized digestive system featuring a four-compartment stomach.
Fiber: Fine, thread-like material obtained from animals, such as cashmere and mohair from goats.
Browsing: The act of feeding on leaves, twigs, and shoots of trees and shrubs, a primary feeding strategy for goats.