Full Scientific Classification of Pygmy Goats

Pygmy goats belong to the same species as all domestic goats, capra hircus. In the broadest scientific classes they belong to the animal kingdom which lists millions of members. They also belong to the phylum chordata, which are animals with a supporting cord similar to a spine. Its sub-phylum is vertebrata which list all the animals that have actual spinal cords. Goats can be even further categorized into other scientific groups.

  1. Mammalian Class

    • Animal classes include groups like reptiles, birds and fish. Pygmy goats belong to the class of animals known as mammals. The animals in this group all have three distinguishing traits: three inner ear bones, hair and the production of milk to feed the young. Some breeds of goat also have their milk harvested for human consumption.

    Order Artiodactylia

    • Pygmy goats belong to the mammalian order artiodactylia. Members of this order are distinguished by a particular foot structure. The order is more commonly known as even-toed ungulates and the characteristic feature is the enlargement of the third and fourth toes of the foot. These toes take the pressure off the animal's weight and give a cloven hoof appearance.

    Bovidae Family

    • The scientific family bovidae includes cattle, sheep, antelope, wild goats and domestic goats. As a member of this family the pygmy goat has a four-chambered stomach which is specialized for an herbivore's diet. Another common marker is some form of horns from the top of the skull which are present in both males and females.

    Caprinae Subfamily

    • Pygmy goats are further separated out into the subfamily caprinae which separates the species from cattle and antelope. Caprinae is made up of the various wild goat and sheep species as well as their domestic counterparts, and also the large musk ox which seems more cattle-like in appearance.

    Capra Genus

    • The genus capra further separates the pygmy goat away from the various sheep species. The genus groups the pygmy goats with the world's various ibex species which are effectively large, wild goat-like animals by another name.

    Species Information

    • The pygmy goat is a domestic goat in the species capra hircus and is descended from the Bezoar wild goat, which is native to countries like Pakistan, Georgia, Turkey and Iran. Selective breeding from this original wild species has produced numerous goat breeds of varied sizes and appearance.