Fainting Goats

Back in 1880 four goats were abandoned by a Canadian man in Tennessee, these goats soon had kids and somebody noticed a peculiar trait among their offspring.  It seemed when they got a sudden scare they fell over as if in a trance.  The condition was recognized as a rare condition that also occurs in humans, myotonia congentia.

When given a sudden scare the muscles in the legs of the goats freeze up, the animal quickly topples over as a result and may lay there frozen for 10 seconds or so.  For many years Myotonic goats were used as meat goats, intentionally scared so they would build up muscle in their leg from repeatedly freezing up.  Now they are more likely to be kept as pets or occasionally for cashmere fiber that some produce in the winter.

Myotonic goats are also called fainting goats and are smaller goats, often black and white, but they can be any color.   They are pretty easy to keep, needing shelter in cold and wet weather, and they are less likely to climb fences than other goats. 

If bred to another goat the fainting gene is recessive.  Younger fainting goats are more likely to fall over as the older ones learn how to brace themselves.  Of course any animal that falls down when frightened may be an easy target for predators, or thieves.  As such it is a good idea to keep your goats well fenced and secure.  


Read here if you wish to learn more about goats and goat care.

Adopt the Internet Day

Petfinder.com is using March 15, 2011 as Adopt the Internet Day, a day they plan to "take over" the Internet in an awareness campaign about pet adoption and issues facing homeless pets. 

Petfinder.com is a place where prospective pet adopters can go to find shelters with certain animals for adoption.  They list adoptable cats, dogs, horses, birds, rabbits, reptiles, and even farm animals.  Thus they may even have the exotic pet you are looking for!


On March 15 Petfinder.com is encouraging people to change their Facebook profile picture to one of an adoptable pet.  They ask people to tweet about an adoptable pet, specifically using the hashtag #adopttheinternt.

Until March 15, 2011, pet lovers can visit ICanHasCheeseburger and create a caption for an adoptable pet.

Please support Adopt the Internet Day, and make plans visit Petfinder.com's Special Page, on March 15.  Be sure to tell people about pet adoption on March 15 and encourage them to use Petfinder to locate a shelter near them.

Read How to Adopt a Pet from an Animal Shelter
Read Petfinder Making News

10 Funky Farm Animals

As much fun as exotic pets are, imagine owning an exotic livestock animal.  People seldom give thought to owning exotic farm animals.. mostly because a lot of people do not have the land needed, but many hobby farmers are taking a liking to owning exotic, and rare breed, farm animals.  Here, at the cabin, we use some hair sheep to keep the grass trimmed down nice and short.  Oh look, there is a nice young ram chewing the grass right now!

Read Here About other Funky Farm Animals