The goat faints when frightened. Goats that pretend to be dead. Facts from history

Goats are fairly calm pets. They graze on the lawns and provide excellent milk to their owners and farmers. But in the USA, namely in Texas, there are goats who faint from intense fear or an overabundance of emotions.

Texas goat that can faint

Features of the breed

But not all goats have a tendency to faint when frightened. The breed of these goats has been known since the 19th century. The breed began to actively disappear, so many breeders are engaged in its restoration. The people call these animals swoon, and in science they can be found under the name of myotonic goats.

Only this breed can lose consciousness. Fainting provokes strong emotional agitation, but what is the nature of this phenomenon? Why do goats of this breed faint so easily?

Causes of fainting behavior

Why can an animal suddenly fall down? The real cause is fear or a strong emotional shock. In this case, the animal falls on its back or on its side with its legs fully extended - complete paralysis of the muscles begins. The goat is conscious, no pain occurs at this time.

The goat falls due to muscle paralysis, while it does not experience pain

Representatives of this breed have a genetic disease. Popularly, this livestock has long been called nervous, wooden or stiff-footed. Outwardly, goats are quite passive, they are large and lazy. Part of the reason for all of these phenomena is illness.

The breed is more of a meat type than a dairy type.

What must happen suddenly for an animal to faint? It could be the fear of death:

• a predator that comes close;
• fast car;
• aggressive person.

Also, a loss of consciousness can easily be provoked by a large volume of a favorite delicacy - grain. The factors are quite typical - increased emotional arousal, which strongly affects the state of the animal's nervous system.

The fainting state is even easily affected by the appearance on the horizon of an animal of the opposite sex (of the same breed).

An overly sensitive representative of the species simply falls into a stupor for 15 seconds. Then she bounces back and behaves in a completely normal and familiar way.

A goat may faint at the sight of a large amount of food.

The gene for the disease is hereditary. It is recessive, therefore it manifests itself in each of the second generations. If such an animal is crossed with an absolutely healthy individual, the gene will still be passed on to the next generation.

Such nervous goats even have very ardent fans, who in 1989 created an official international association. Her task was to preserve the purity of the swoon goat breed and create certain standards and norms that should be followed with further active breeding.

Many professional farmers actively use the property of fainting goats with rather cruel methods. An unconscious goat is placed in a herd of common breeds. When a wolf or another dangerous predator appears on the horizon, which prefers to feast on goats, the nervous individual immediately loses consciousness and becomes the immediate dinner of a wild animal.

At the same time, the rest of the goats, their tails between their legs, rush in the other direction and save their lives. As a result, the herd is preserved with little blood, which makes farmers immensely happy. In this case, neither dogs nor shepherds are required on the pasture.

It is difficult to think that only nature has not prepared in order to forever admire it. Here are the amazing animal goats, they are able to do something that surprises. These are fainting goats, they were called unconscious because they are capable of fainting from the slightest fright.

The scientific name for these goats is myotonic goats, but they are popularly called swoon goats. These goats live in America - this type of goat has a rare genetic disease.

The genetic mutation of these goats came from nowhere, since scientists still do not know how the mutation occurred, how the mutation appeared in the first fainting goat. Already in 1880, there is a mention of these amazing goats in documents. A certain farmer Tinsley came to Tennessee and brought back swooning goats, which he immediately sold. There were 4 first goats in total.

In cases of danger or simply unexpected situation for itself, the goat suddenly relaxes its muscles and faints, while the goat's legs are stretched out as in a stupor. The genetic disorder in these goats is called myotoma congenita.

Myotonia means a sharp weakening of the muscles of the animal. Scientists tried to experiment and crossed a swoon goat with a healthy one, but it turned out that the first generation was absolutely healthy, the gene manifested itself in subsequent generations.

However, if you cross two fainting goats, their offspring will be sick. When frightened, both in adults and in kids, the muscles are completely paralyzed, so the goat falls on its side, which is physically most organic for it, the legs of the goat are stretched out.

In different states of America, swoon goats have different nicknames - "nervous goat", "wooden goat", "stiff-legged goat".

Description of the breed

Faint goats are not mobile animals and are also prone to heart disease. This goat is about 40% fatter than usual and belongs to the meat breed.

Situations in which a goat may faint include:

• danger - real or imagined by the goat;
• binge eating;
• cute goat goat of the opposite sex
• the need to run or jump

A fainting goat will faint for 10-15 seconds, after which the goat continues to live quietly, as if nothing had happened.

Goat history and human interaction

People really liked the fainting goats. Initially, the owners of the goat herd used the nervous goat in order to save the whole herd from the wolves. Then, when the whole herd scattered, the nervous goat fainted and fell to the wolf. was swallowed up by a goat, and the rest of the herd was saved.

Now these goats were taken under protection. In 1989, a society of faint goat lovers was even created, nature standards were introduced, the society monitors the purity of the nervous goat breed. They meet regularly, hold various events and competitions.

Despite the fact that swoon goats are thicker than ordinary goats, they are smaller in size - from 42 to 65 cm at the withers, and their weight varies from 25 to 80 kg, but sometimes there are quite fat individuals weighing 90-100 kg. Usually males are so large. Outwardly, a nervous goat can be recognized by its large and bulging eyes and a Roman profile. Their color is usually black and white, but sometimes pure gray goats are found.

These goats are now taken under protection and are recognized as a rare breed of goats, otherwise these goats would have been eaten long ago, since the meat of swooning goats is more tender than the meat of ordinary goats. However, some farms breed them, as they are easier to care for and the meat of such a goat is more expensive and tastier.

Some people keep them as pets, surprisingly, these goats are very gentle, intelligent and, thanks to their disease, funny.

Synopsis Goat Disease Certificate

Myotonia is a group of neuromuscular diseases characterized by tonic muscle spasms due to improper relaxation. Scientists know 4 forms of myotonia, which myotonia is observed in goats is quite difficult to understand, since with human myotonia, some mental functions are also impaired, which is not possible to assess in goats. It was found that myotonia damages chromosome 19 and, in rare cases, chromosome 7.

Do all goats react the same

No, not all goats react in the same way - some goats faint more often than others, others less often. Older goats can stop fainting altogether, and young goats can fall and fall in any unusual situation.

Watch a video about swooning goats.

Faint goats remain a mystery of nature, since it is not clear why such a mutation occurred and what does it carry to the goat population itself and to humans?

Sources - http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/02/fainting-goat-fear-response-video/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fainting_goat

This strange feature is inherent in only one species. The fact is that in the United States, in the state of Tennessee, there is a special breed that, with a strong nervous shock, literally falls off its feet. Will help you understand why these goats faint video, as well as our story.

Why do goats faint?

Swoon or Tennessee goats are rare. But by their peculiarity, they received interest not only from ordinary people, but also among scientists. Many livestock specialists are now restoring the population of this species in order to better understand the strange phenomenon.

The fact is that goats of this breed have a genetic hereditary pathology or disease. But this is not exactly fainting, but rather muscular paralysis. When animals experience strong nervous excitement (not only fear and fright), they become paralyzed. They fall with their legs outstretched and may remain in such a fainting state for several seconds. It is known that this condition can cause:

• fear or fear;
• pleasure from your favorite food or from a premonition of the desired lunch;
• sexual arousal at the sight of the opposite sex.

Tennessee breed

Today it is rather difficult to say how such goats appeared: either the gene itself mutated, or it was created artificially. The very same breed of swooning animals has been known since the end of the 19th century. However, in the 1980s, its representatives almost disappeared. The breeders could not afford to lose such an unusual subject of research and some kind of riddle. Therefore, today work to restore the breed population continues. In science, this species is called myotonic.

The gene that causes this phenomenon (fainting) is inherited. It is recessive, so it appears even if the Tennessee breed is crossed with any other. Most often, the disease occurs in every second generation. Interestingly, in 1989, an international association for the preservation of the purity of the Tennessee breed was created.

Myotonic phenomena

Muscular paralysis in goats is manifested by the onset of complete paralysis of the limbs, from which the animal falls on its back with extended straight legs. At the same time, the animals remain conscious, they have no pain, but only bewilderment. Although such representatives are called nervous, in fact they are very passive, even lazy. In appearance, they are slightly larger and more plump than ordinary animals. Scientists say this is due to an ailment.

Is it dangerous for the health of the animal?

By itself, myotonia, as a neuromuscular disease that occurs in "nervous" goats, is not dangerous. In animals, one of two forms of the disease manifests itself, which is associated with paralysis of the limbs. It is known that this phenomenon is the result of a local disruption in the 36 untranslated region of the gene on chromosome 19. When the goat falls on its back, that is, supposedly fainting, it remains conscious. But they say that animals do not understand their condition.

However, this phenomenon can be dangerous in the event that the animal falls unsuccessfully, for example, on a stone or other dangerous object. Often, animals fall during a fast run, which is why they can roll over and even somersault. It should be noted that no cases of sprains or severe bruises have yet been observed. Therefore, many are sure that myotonia, or, as everyone says, fainting, does not harm the goats.

Video "Myotonic goats"

In this video, you will see in what situations animals faint, and also learn about why the Tennessee breed has such a strange phenomenon.

Swooning goats are one of the most unusual animals that can only be found in a farm yard. When frightened or other strong emotion, they fall to one side and freeze, as if dead. Let's find out more about this strange breed.

Such a striking feature of the breed, as the property of falling into a kind of fainting, is actually a genetic disease called myotoma congenita, which arose due to an accidental mutation. Goats pretend to be dead not of their own free will - the disease manifests itself in the fact that due to fear, surprise, and sometimes even joy, the muscles of the animal are paralyzed and it falls on its side, while remaining fully conscious. The legs of the goat are stretched out and appear to be numb. She does not feel pain.

This state lasts 10-15 seconds, after which the animal rises and behaves as if nothing had happened. Such paralysis does not entail dangerous health consequences, unless the goat is injured by the fall itself - for example, "landing" on a hard or sharp object.

Myotonic goats are also called "stiff-footed", "woody" and "nervous" goats.

The reasons why goats faint can be different: fear due to a real or imagined threat, surprise, the need to jump or run. Sometimes both males and females can fall to one side even at the sight of an attractive individual of the opposite sex (which looks quite comical from the side). In some cases, this is due to overeating or simply the pleasure of the taste of food, especially grains, which goats love very much.

The frequency of falls depends on both the nature of the individual and the age. Many adult fainting goats manage to stay on their feet during paralysis - they deliberately place them wider so as not to fall. Some in this state can even move, albeit very slowly and awkwardly. Other goats, due to their special sensitivity, continue to fall in any atypical situation.

The gene that is responsible for the onset of the disease is recessive. A number of experiments have shown that crossing myotonic goats with other breeds gives healthy young animals, but in further offspring the disease manifests itself after one generation.

Myotonia can affect more than just goats. When frightened, some cats also faint-paralysis. Sometimes people also suffer from this genetic disease.

History and description of the breed

Falling goats are first mentioned in 1880. According to the data received, a certain farmer Tinsley brought four of these animals to Tennessee and immediately sold them. Whether this was the first generation born with such a mutation, or whether such individuals existed before, it is no longer possible to figure out.

The swooning goats gained popularity immediately. True, initially they were used as a “buy-off” from predators. One such individual was specially kept in a herd with other breeds, so that, when attacked by wolves or coyotes, she would fall from fright and remain at the mercy, while the other herd managed to escape. Some farmers considered this method of livestock protection more expedient than keeping herding dogs.

In the 80s. of the last century, the breed was under the threat of complete extinction, but in 1989 its lovers created an international association, achieved an increase in the livestock and set standards. Now the organization is engaged in the popularization of the breed and tracking its purity. The emblem of the association is a goat lying on its side.

Nowadays, the following standards exist for the breed: height at the withers is 42-65 cm, weight - from 25 to 80 kg. Some individuals, most often males, can weigh 90-100 kg. The body is barrel-shaped, squat. The profile is straight, the eyes are slightly protruding. There may be no horns. The coat is smooth and shiny. In the cold season, a warm undercoat is formed. The most common color is black and white, but others are allowed.

The meat of fainting goats is dietary, tender and tasty, but recently they are increasingly kept as an ornamental breed. Full maturity occurs at 4 years old. The average life expectancy is 12 to 14 years. The maternal instinct is very well developed. These goats are often prone to heart disease.

Human interaction

Goats, which when frightened pretend to be dead, often serve to attract tourists to farms, "perform" on television shows and entertainment programs, and take part in competitions. However, paralysis attacks are not their only feature. The owners note the extremely friendly and balanced character, as well as the intelligence of these animals, thanks to which they often live on the farm as pets.

In their "homeland" in Tennessee, in October of each year, there is a holiday dedicated to this breed: the program usually includes a fair, competitions, a music program and other entertainment events. The breed is also of interest to scientists, who are still looking for the secret of the original mutation that makes goats unwittingly pretend to be dead.

On the Internet, you can find a funny, at first glance, video about goats, which, when frightened, pretend to be dead. In fact, these animals belong to a special American breed called myotonic. Fainting goats (this is how they are called in the common people) appeared in 1880 in Tennessee and almost disappeared.

In addition to the names listed above, in various sources this breed is endowed with such epithets as wood, nervous and stiff-footed. She is also known under the name "Tennessee goats", as well as Fainting Goat.

Kids of the Tennessee breed.

In this article, we will understand the possible reasons for their unusual behavior, as well as find out some interesting facts about the life of the horned ones.

These shy representatives of the goat tribe belong to the meat breeds. Their coat is smooth, shiny; in winter, a thick short undercoat is formed. The color can be different, most often spotted individuals are found. The animal's muzzle has a "Roman profile", the eyes are slightly bulging. Horns are optional. Goats are small, squat, barrel-shaped. The height at the withers reaches no more than 68 cm, the weight of males - up to 65 kg, females - up to 50 kg.

The first mating of female representatives is carried out after 16 months. Full maturity and the accumulation of muscle mass occurs by the age of 4 years. The average lifespan of these goats is 12 to 14 years. It is believed that their meat is less fatty and has a special taste compared to the meat of regular goats.

Character

Myotonic goats are distinguished by a calm character, inactivity, laziness, unpretentiousness in food and maintenance. They are smart and friendly. Many farmers find that they are easy to cut and heal when needed, and they are less agile and rarely jump over fences. The maternal instinct in these animals is very well developed.

Myotonic goats are very intelligent and friendly, and they also have a well-developed maternal instinct.

Features of behavior

Why do goats faint? The cause of such conditions is a genetic disease - myotonia, which is characterized by a sharp muscle contraction during fright. The disease manifests itself in the loss of the ability to control their movements and is inherited. When crossed with other medium-sized breeds, the gene, possessing recessive traits, does not disappear completely, but appears after one generation. At the sight of danger, in case of surprise or any other stressful situation, the goats are so frightened that they fall into a stupor, cannot stand on their feet and fall on their side for a short time (10-15 seconds), while remaining fully conscious and not feeling pain. Newly born babies may become numb right after birth, but myotonic syndrome weakens with age.

People and some cats are also susceptible to myotonia. But only goats remain conscious after falling.

Since animals are inherently fearful and very sensitive, there can be any reason for fainting:

• the pleasure of consuming your favorite delicacy;
• excitement at the sight of a handsome man or a beauty of the opposite sex;
• danger to life;
• aggressive human behavior;
• extraneous noise.

In 1989, an international association dedicated to the conservation of the breed was created. Its goals include setting standards and popularizing these pets. The organization's emblem is quite symbolic - it depicts a goat lying on its side.

Health status

Falling to the ground for a while, animals do not realize what is happening to them. Scientists have found that fainting is associated with a violation in the 36th untranslated region of the gene on the 19th chromosome. By itself, paralysis is safe for the health of individuals. A threat to life can arise only if fainting leads to an unsuccessful "landing": it will happen, for example, during a fast run, and the goat will fall on a sharp object.

Fainting a goat does not harm its health.

Application of goats

Tennis goats have long been used by farmers as a “sacrifice”. The herd contained one such super-coward who fainted when attacked by a predator. The victim went to the toothy hunter, and during this time everyone else managed to get away to a safe distance. So it was possible to maintain the livestock with small losses, and even do without shepherds and herding dogs.

Currently, the nervous breed of goats is quite rare and is under protection. Most often it is bred to attract tourists to farms. There are even entertaining performances with unusual horned ones. Marshall County, Tennessee, hosts these animals every October with contests, music, fairs and other treats.

Falling animals are also of interest to scientists who want to unravel such a strange phenomenon.

Summary

Talking about the existence of a separate meat breed called "swoon goats" is rather controversial. Still, the peculiarity of their behavior is associated with the gene of the disease, which is inherited and not amenable to treatment. It is simply impractical to breed only this type of animals on a farm, but their proximity to other breeds is quite possible. In this case, foreign beauties will delight the owner with their unpretentiousness and goodwill.