goatlike

Goatlike is an adjective used to describe a resemblance to goats in form, behavior, or ecological niche. In scientific contexts, the term caprine refers to goats and their relatives within the subfamily Caprinae, while goatlike serves as a nontechnical descriptor used in field guides, descriptions of anatomy, or comparative morphology.

Goatlike traits commonly include a compact, sturdy body; horns that may be curved, ridged, or straight; a short beard; cloven hooves; and a preference for uneven, rocky terrain. Many goatlike animals are adept climbers and sure-footed on steep surfaces, with a high degree of agility and a tendency to browse shrubs and tough vegetation rather than focusing on grass alone. Behavioral traits often associated with goats, such as curiosity, stubbornness, and rapid changes in pace, are also described as goatlike in a qualitative sense.

Taxonomically, goats proper are Capra species (Capra aegagrus hircus in domesticated form). Other caprines—ibex, mountain goats, and related wild goats—are described as goatlike due to similar morphology and lifestyle, though not every horned, hoofed bovid is goatlike. The term is commonly used in paleontology and comparative anatomy to note convergent morphology in extinct caprines or other mountain-dwelling ungulates.

In culture and language, goatlike imagery evokes rugged alpine environments and agile, hardy behavior, and is often used metaphorically to describe stubbornness or agility.