When a goat herd meets a lion....

[Suchanewbie]

I hope you'll all forgive me for butting into your forum like this, but I have an odd question and I'm not certain where else to ask: How would a herd of goats react to the cry of a large predator?


I'm a writer and I'm working on a story that takes place in ancient Mesopotamia. A goatherd is watching over a herd of goats, and a lion's roar is heard about a quarter mile off. What would the goats (say, a herd of 10-15) do? Would they bunch together, ears pricked, and look towards the sound? Would they try to scatter? What noise would they make, if any? How hard would it be for a single goatherd to herd them the half a mile or so back to the fold?

I image the reaction wouldn't vary much depending on the type of predator, so any information you have on interactions between goat herds and other types of predators would also be most welcome. Or if you know of any books or other sources that might help me answer my question, I'd be grateful for that info as well.

I've owned goats before, but I never witnessed them in a herd situation, or with any type of predator.

Thank you very much!
~Shannon

 

[BlessedWithGoats]

No Intrusion @Suchanewbie! Welcome to BYH!
Sorry I can't be of much help, but I can tell you what I have seen my goats do. If something scares them, like if they're grazing, they'll make a pretty-loud snorting sound and run. (Kind of like bounding, but at a pretty good speed if I remember right.) I don't know if this would be true in your scenario though... I don't remember what exactly made them do that, sorry...
I'll tag some people that might have a better answer to your question... @Southern by choice, @Sweetened, @OneFineAcre, @Pearce Pastures, @Hens and Roos... plus others!
Best wishes on your book!

 

[ragdollcatlady]

My goats in a pasture will, if startled by something close, run away as a whole herd and once they can't get any further, they turn and watch, ears pricked mostly silent, some of the more watchful will snort, more of a warning. The bravest may charge the predator especially if their babies are at risk, but they are a prey animal so running, not fighting is their first instinct. Mine also don't have horns as they are tame and dairy animals, so horned, "wild" or more naturally raised goats may respond a little differently.

If they just hear something that doesn't seem close, but is unfamiliar, they will watch the area/ direction of concern with ears pricked, quietly, until they are sure they no longer have to be concerned.

 

[Sweetened]

Welcome! Great way to do research for sure.

While i am not on the african plains, i can say our goats dont react to the SOUND of a predator (coyotes for example). Reacting to the sound of a predator makes you stand out, but to the pursuit of a predator is a different story. It is likely the goat herder who would visably react, along with any other guardian animal (dog, llama). While they are likely more aware, it is unlikely, in my opinion, they would offer a notable reactiom to sound

My goats have been attacked by dogs, morr than once, but dont pay any attention that can be seen to the barking or growling of dogs. However at the sight of one, two of the girls will bolt and the other becomes visably angry and defensive; this is from conditioning more so than built in predatory response.

 

[bonbean01]

Welcome to BYH! From experience, before we had a barking livestock guardian dog ...we'd know something was up that was freaking our sheep...not from sound but seeing them all together in a corner (we have motion night lights and one dusk to dawn light) ....not one sound...very quiet...but not normal for them to be standing huddled together in a corner...we shone a spotlight and we saw the problem (happened several times)....a skunk in their paddock (not sure how it got past 2 hot wires) and my DH shot the skunk...pheeeewwww.....since we got our livestock guardian pup, no skunks...she barks when anything not belonging comes near and when she hears coyotes....but I can say, the sheep and lambs when they feared the skunk, did NOT make a sound of any kind.

 

[bonbean01]

p.s..... our sheep have one HEAD sheep .... she will face exactly where the predator or perceived predator is and the rest stay behind her. She will position herself several feet ahead of the rest. Hope that helps and hope more chime in with their experience with this.

 

[rittert3]

I would just like to add that sheep and goats will not act the same. Sheep generally won't follow and have to be pushed where you want them.. While they are both prey animals goats are curious and very likely to follow one of another species with little conditioning. And yes goats snort when angry or make a sound identical to a human cough to signal that somethings up and the herd needs to get ready to flea.

ETA: I've heard of goats being loaded by strangers with a jug of rocks. One in the group thinks it's grain and comes running and the rest follow.

 

[258 Pots]

They would team up and stalk and kill the lion, goats hate lions.

 

[SkyWarrior]

They would team up and stalk and kill the lion, goats hate lions.