Hircus

Hircus is a Latin-derived term used in biological nomenclature, most often encountered as the specific epithet in the scientific name of the domestic goat. In modern taxonomy the domesticated goat is commonly listed as Capra aegagrus hircus, a subspecies of the wild goat Capra aegagrus. Some sources treat the domestic goat as Capra hircus, either as a distinct species or as a synonym of Capra aegagrus hircus. The epithet hircus itself is tied to goats in Latin nomenclature.

Etymology and usage in taxonomy

The word hircus appears in historical and contemporary taxonomic contexts to denote goats. It is used across various languages in scientific names and remains a recognizable component of the domestic goat’s binomial nomenclature. Taxonomic treatment can vary among authorities, leading to alternating classifications between Capra aegagrus hircus and Capra hircus.

Domestication and distribution

Domestic goats are among the earliest domesticated livestock and are believed to have been domesticated from the wild bezoar goat, Capra aegagrus, in the Near East during the early Holocene. Today, goats are kept worldwide for milk, meat, and hides, and in some cases for fiber (such as cashmere). They are highly adaptable, ranging from arid to temperate regions, and exhibit a wide variety of breeds, coat colors, and sizes.

Notes on characteristics

Goats are ruminants with a generally hardy disposition. They commonly have horns and beards, though horn presence and size vary by breed. The species under the epithet hircus encompasses a broad range of domestic goat phenotypes rather than a single uniform form.