Related to the sheep, the goat is lighter of build, has horns that arch backwards, a short tail, and straighter hair. Male goats, called bucks or billy, usually have a beard. Females are called does or nanny and immature goats are called kids. Domesticated goats are descended from the pasang (Capra aegagrus), which is probably native to Asia, the earliest records being Persian.
In China, Great Britain, Europe, and North America, the domestic goat is primarily a milk producer, with a large portion of the milk being used to make cheese. One or two goats will supply sufficient milk for a family throughout the year and can be maintained in small quarters, where it would be uneconomical to keep a cow.
Goats are reputed to be willing to eat almost anything, including tin cans and cardboard boxes. Aside from sampling many things, goats are quite particular in what they actually consume, preferring to browse on the tips of woody shrubs and trees, as well as the occasional broad-leaved plant.
