Expressions on goats' faces

A DigitalNZ Story by Zokoroa

These photos illustrate the ways in which goats express their feelings on their face. If you're happy and you know it, so will a goat!

Goats, Animals, Feelings, Body language

Do goats' faces express their feelings? Go goat watching! What mood or personality do they convey? See how they seek out your face when attracting your attention. What wise pearls of wisdom could they share? After years of living around people, goats may have learned to read and respond to facial expressions, a new study said - and they seem to like happy people better. (See ABC News)

Image: Curious face of goat

Gidday!

Curious face of goat

mychillybin

Image: goat chewing on twine

How may I be of assistance to you?

goat chewing on twine

mychillybin

Image: Goat with head through fence

Come closer and whisper to me.

Goat with head through fence

mychillybin

Image: Gus the goat

Really - that happened? Tell me more!

mychillybin

Image: Domestic Goat

Look me in the eye and repeat what you said - truthfully now.

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Image: Billy Goat

Hmm - let me think about that.

mychillybin

Image: Billy Goat

Now Confucius says...

mychillybin

Image: Angora goats

What do you think?

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Saanen milking goat

Well - let me see.... I will need to think about it..

Saanen milking goat

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Arapawa Goats

Hey, it's nearly storytime.

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Close up on a white goats nose & mouth

Wait a minute. I can smell green grass in the wind!

Close up on a white goats nose & mouth

mychillybin

Image: A sheep and young goat in a paddock

Let's head off now.

A sheep and young goat in a paddock

mychillybin

Image: Domestic Goat

Over here! Follow me!

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Image: Goat eating grass on the roadside

Yum! That grass tastes so sweet.

Goat eating grass on the roadside

mychillybin

Image: Bebe goat

Let's hurry to hear the story!

DigitalNZ

Image: Goat

Come closer and listen...

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Image: Goat

"Once upon a time there were three Billy Goats Gruff…"

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Image: Billy Goat

Love that story about my great-grandad!

mychillybin

Image: Domestic Goat

Time for me to go. Hope to see you again!

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Further reading:

Cooper, Tamsin. It's written on goats' faces. In Countryside Daily (20 Sept 2018)