Fainting goats.. wtf?

[Brock]

Whenever I'm bored I can always make myself guffaw with glee at fainting goats, but what kind of evolutionary f**k up can possibly account for such an obviously useless feature in an animal? Does it stop them running off cliffs when startled by a thunder clap or something?

 

[Cathryn]

We saw those in the States a few summers ago. I spent about 10 mins trying to make them fall over and faint, but no luck. I was gutted.

 

[longers]

You're not scary enough Cathryn!

These goats are the result of a genetic experiment by wolves to breed an easy to catch dinner. Much less running about.

 

[col]

My son showed me these on one of those jackass programmes,i couldnt stop laughing.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

is that akin to cow tipping?

 

[spesh]

Wierd...

But not as wierd as The Men Who Stare At Goats...

 

[Elmer Fudd]

is that akin to cow tipping?

Or fly tipping ?

 

[spesh]

Or fly tipping ?

The little buggers never stay still for long enough...

 

[Arch]

Whenever I'm bored I can always make myself guffaw with glee at fainting goats, but what kind of evolutionary f**k up can possibly account for such an obviously useless feature in an animal? Does it stop them running off cliffs when startled by a thunder clap or something?

I'd imagine the gene is a mutation, and probably recessive in the wild, but breeding by man has produced a strain of animals in which it's dominant. Once animals are domesticated by man, straight evolution stops playing such a large role in survival. It may be that the same gene is also linked to some positive trait which outweighs the negative (for example, the link between malaria resistance and suckle cell anaemia in humans - developing sickle cell is bad, but malaria resistance is good, and in a malarial area, convers a reproductive advantage)

On the other hand, possums 'play dead' by fainting, in order to put off a predator not keen on scavenged meat. Maybe it's a similar responce?

 

[Brock]

As ever a characteristically wise and helpful response from Arch, unlike the rest of you goons! Thanks Arch, I feel just a little bit cleverer whenever I read your posts.
Cow tipping does sound fun though...

 

[Arch]

You're welcome..

 

[TimO]

As ever, Wikipedia has something to say about them.

I did like this quote.

The fainting goat may also be raised as a pet or show animal as they can be friendly, intelligent, easy to keep, and amusing.

Emphasis mine!