Observations on behavior of wild Goat (Capra aegagrus, Erxleben 1777)

Abstract

Wild (bezoar) goat (Capra aegagrus, Erxleben 1777) was studied in Köprülü Canyon Area and Termessos-Düzlerçamı Area in Antalya-TURKEY. Based on questionary survey and observations from June 2003 to August 2004, wild goats used eight different vegetations – maquis, Turkish pine (Pinus brutia), juniper (Juniperus excelsa), juniper mixed cedar (Cedrus libani), black pine (Pinus nigra), fir (Abies cilicica subsp. isaurica), cedar and sub-alpine – from 200 m to 2500 m. Wild goats preferred escape terrains with more than 30o angle within these habitats. Any food preferences were not observed except hyacinth (Muscari spp). Rutting season started in the middle of December in Köprülü Canyon Area and in the beginning of December in Termessos-Düzlerçamı Area. Rutting season lasted for 30-40 days and pregnancy period took 5-5.5 months. The first births occurred in the middle of May in Köprülü Canyon Area and in the beginning of May in Termessos-Düzlerçamı Area. Ratios of males associate with females were 0.47:1 in Köprülü Canyon Area and 0.57:1 in Termessos-Düzlerçamı Area. Bias in the sex ratios was a result of anthropogenic pressure.