Turkmen Wild Goat

The Modern English word goat comes from Old English gāt "she-goat, goat in general", which in turn derives from Proto-Germanic *gaitaz (cf. Norwegian/Icelandic geit, German Geiß, and Gothic gaits), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰaidos meaning "young goat" (cf. Latin haedus "kid").

• Singular: goat

• Plural: goats

From Latin ībex (“chamois”, "goat", "ibex"), influenced by an Indo-European language, possibly from Proto-Indo-European *(h₁)ebʰ- (“climbing”); akin to Old Spanish bezerro (“bull”) (modern becerro (“yearling”)).

• Singular: ibex

• Plural: ibex (single species), ibexes (more than species)

The Persian bezoar and the Sindh wild goat share characteristics with the Turkmen Wild Goat, a medium-to-large subspecies of the wild goat. They were more slender than the Bezoar Ibex, with a robust body and long legs for climbing. The coat is light tan to sandy brown, frequently has a dark dorsal stripe, and gets thicker and darker in the winter.

The horns are big, ridged, and curled. Males are roughly 80–105 cm in length, with a small outward and backward sweep; females are 12–25 cm. Compared to the Bezoar Ibex relative, the Horns are a little narrower and straighter. This subspecies' "desert-adapted" appearance reflects its arid mountain habitat.

The wild goat's climbing ability is exceptional; it can ascend nearly vertical cliffs with hooves that have sticky pads and sharp edges for traction. Wild goats are not natural swimmers, but they can swim short distances. Goats generally avoid water unless they are escaping predators or crossing barriers.

Wild goat horns were used as tools and weapons. During the rut, male-to-male combat was fought with horns, and clashing and grappling determined mating privileges. These horns were used as tools for stripping bark, digging for roots, breaking thin ice, and clearing plants while foraging. Goats utilize it for both self-defense and interspecies play.

The same material that makes up human fingernails, keratin, covers the whole bone core of a horn. They begin to grow shortly after the animal is born and continue to do so throughout the animal's existence. They do not regenerate if they are damaged or removed.

The Turkmen wild goat is a herbivorous goat that feeds on desert bushes, acacia leaves, grasses during the short rainy seasons, twigs, forbs, and wild plants. They are able to consume hard, prickly plants that domestic animals shun. Persian leopards, cheetahs, wolves, golden eagles (which prey on juveniles), tigers, crocodiles, pythons, and feral dogs pose the greatest threat to the Turkmen wild goat. Turkmen wild goats play an ecological role in arid mountain habitats by controlling the growth of woody shrubs, dispersing seeds, and serving as important prey. Goat kids are precocial and start climbing within hours.

It is not cultural appropriation to discuss the Turkmen wild goat. Nonetheless, the Turkmen wild goat frequently symbolizes mountain power in Turkmen, Iranian, and Central Asian folklore. The horns may be utilized in regional traditional ceremonies or crafts, and it may be culturally disrespectful to exploit these symbols commercially without the appropriate context.

Reproduction

• Breeding season: Late autumn–winter (November–January)

• Gestation: ~150 days

• Births: Usually 1 kid; twins are rare

• Birth season: April–May

• Maturity:

  • Females: ~1.5 years

  • Males: ~2–3 years

• Longevity: 10–14 years in the wild

The Turkmen wild goat has a social structure, with males forming bachelor groups outside the rut and females with young forming small herds of five to twenty. However, elderly men are frequently alone. This ibex's activity pattern was crepuscular, meaning it was active at dawn and dusk. During the noon heat, they rested on high cliffs or shaded boulders.

Even in reserves, this ibex does not exhibit tameness. The Turkmen wild goat is extremely shy and cautious, avoids human presence at great distances, and will rapidly escape if disturbed. Due to centuries of human hunting pressure, this subspecies is particularly wary.

Threats

• Overhunting for meat and horns.

• Habitat destruction from mining and grazing.

• Competition with domestic goats and sheep.

• Disease transmission (peste des petits ruminants, parasites).

• Small, fragmented populations.

• Hybridization with feral goats.

• Declines have occurred in Turkmenistan and Iran.

Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Near Threatened (NT)

Conservation Efforts

• Some protected populations remain in Iran and Turkmen reserves.

• Anti-poaching patrols.

• National parks (e.g., Kopet Dag, Badghyz reserves).

• Captive and semi-wild management programs.

• Grazing regulation.

• Monitoring for genetic integrity due to hybridization risk.

• Awareness campaigns against illegal pet trade.

Turkmen wild goats can be found in small numbers in the central Kopet Dagh, which runs along the border between Turkmenistan and Iran, and in the Large Balkhan (Bolshye) to the north of Nebit Dagh. It has a tight relationship with domestic goats. Their entire population was projected to be 7000 in 1986, and it was declining. The primary habitats of Turkmen wild goats are desert-steppe mosaics, rocky cliffs and steep slopes, and arid highlands and foothills. They are limited to poor vegetation and scattered shrubs at elevations between 300 and 2,500 meters. This goat does well in environments that are too harsh and arid for the majority of other large animals.

During The Recollections of Queen Arianna (TROQA) saga in the 2600s and 2700s, the "Sky People," or Terrans from Earth, brought the wild goat to two exoplanets that resembled Earth: Berbania from Ursa Major and Reinachos from Cygnus. Despite the death of our planet, conservation efforts are helping this species recover from endangerment or near extinction. The goat became an invasive species as a result of human activities for rewilding and game hunting. In two exoplanets that resembled Earth, the wild goat lived in a similar environment and climate.

• Movement Pattern: Altitudinal Migrant

• Individual Type: Solo

• Population Trend: Stable

• Population: 

  • Earth: 70,000+

  • Berbania: 120,000

  • Reinachos: 500,000

  • Delphia: 50,000

  • Sawintir: 45,000

• Locomotion: Terrestrial

• Habitat: Polar; Tundra; Taiga; Montane Grasslands and Shrublands; Subtropical Coniferous Forests; Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests; Subtropical Dry Broadleaf Forests; Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands; Salt Flats; Stone Forest; Mediterranean Forests, Woodlands, and Scrub; Deserts and Xeric Shrublands; Badlands; Flooded Grasslands and Savannas; Swamp; Bayous/Billabongs; Riparian; Wetland; Mangrove Forest; Cold Bamboo Forests; Tropical Bamboo Forests; Air-breathing Coral Reefs; Graveyard Vale; Mountain; Warm Ghost Town; Cold Ghost Town; Ruined Skyscraper.

• Earth: 

  • Extant (Resident): Iran; Turkmenistan

• Berbania/Hirawhassa: worldwide

• Reinachos/Ityosel: worldwide

• Delphia/Thatrollwa: worldwide

• Sawintir: worldwide

Wild goats were feeding with grasses or wheat.

In our universe, the Turkmen ibex were completely unsuitable as pets. This ibex had a strong territorial sense in males, was extremely timid, was stressed by human closeness, and needed big, rocky mountains rather than flat enclosures. They also had strong horns that could harm people and livestock. They are typically prohibited and require special permits to be kept.

ugh

• s

• s

Coming soon

• Coming soon

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiltan_ibex

• https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q10950511

• https://factanimal.com/alpine-ibex/

• https://www.trvst.world/biodiversity/goat-quotes/

• https://www.deviantart.com/ognimdo2002/art/Turkmen-Wild-Goat-983959011