They can be distinguished from the genus Ovis, which includes sheep, by the presence of scent glands close to the feet, in the groin, and in front of the eyes, and the absence of other facial glands, and by the presence of a beard in some specimens, and of hairless calluses on the knees of the forelegs.

As such they are ruminants, meaning they chew the cud, and have four-chambered stomachs which play a vital role in digesting, regurgitating, and redigesting their food.

Females: 25.3–32.7 kg (56–72 lb)Habitat: Mountainous desert terrain near water sourcesDiet: Acacia and other trees, shrubs, and grasses 4,500 [12]

[13] Easy human access to goat hair, meat, and milk were the primary motivations.

Goat skins were popularly used until the Middle Ages for water and wine bottles when traveling and camping, and in certain regions as parchment for writing.