Screaming goats dramatically collapsing are a viral sensation across the internet. These comical scenes often depict goats seemingly fainting from mere surprise. But what’s the real story behind these peculiar behaviors? Let’s dive into the world of fainting goats and separate internet myth from biological reality.
You’ve likely encountered videos online showcasing goats suddenly stiffening and falling over, appearing to faint at the slightest provocation. Perhaps you’ve even chuckled at compilations of goats seemingly “screaming” along to popular tunes. These clips raise a crucial question: are these goats genuinely fainting, and why?
The Truth Behind the “Faint”
Firstly, it’s important to clarify that these goats aren’t actually fainting in the typical sense of losing consciousness. The breed celebrated for this dramatic collapse is specifically known as the Tennessee Fainting Goat. They are also referred to by several other names that hint at their condition, such as Myotonic Goats, Stiff-legged Goats, Nervous Goats, or Wooden-Leg Goats.
When these goats “faint,” they are not passing out due to fear. Tennessee Fainting Goats suffer from a genetic condition called myotonia congenita. This inherited disorder affects their skeletal muscles – the muscles responsible for movement. In goats with myotonia congenita, when muscles are voluntarily contracted, for example, when reacting to a startling stimulus and attempting to flee, the muscles experience a delay in relaxation. This prolonged contraction results in muscle rigidity, temporarily rendering the goat immobile.
This reaction is usually triggered when a myotonic goat is startled by sudden loud noises or abrupt movements. The rapid stiffening of muscles as the goat tries to escape can cause them to lose balance and fall. This sudden collapse gives the appearance of fainting from fear, but it’s purely a muscular response. The severity of this condition varies among individual goats; some might experience brief stiffness, while others may consistently collapse.
In their rigid state, these goats are temporarily vulnerable. As geneticist Jay L Lush noted in 1930, they become so stiff they can be easily manipulated as if “carved out of a single piece of wood.” This stiffness, however, is short-lived, typically lasting only 5 to 20 seconds. While the myotonic episode itself is not inherently harmful unless the fall is from a height, frequent frights can cause stress to the animals.
Tennessee Fainting Goats are believed to have originated around 1800 in Tennessee, USA. However, the exact origins remain unclear. Experts are uncertain whether the genetic mutation causing myotonia congenita arose spontaneously within the goat population or was introduced through crossbreeding with another breed.
The gene responsible for myotonia congenita is recessive. This means a goat must inherit two copies of the gene – one from each parent – to exhibit the condition. Consequently, when Tennessee Fainting Goats are crossbred with other goat breeds, their offspring usually do not inherit the fainting trait.
Intriguingly, myotonia congenita also occurs in humans, presenting in two primary forms: Becker-type myotonia and Thomsen disease, differing in severity and inheritance patterns. However, unlike in goats, muscle stiffness in humans with myotonia congenita is not triggered by fear or sudden startling events.
Decoding the “Screams” of Goats
Beyond their fainting episodes, goats are also known for their vocalizations, which are sometimes described as “screaming” due to their human-like quality.
While some goat sounds might resemble human screams, they are actually just variations of bleating. Goats possess a diverse range of bleats, and each goat has its own unique vocal signature. These bleats vary in volume, pitch, and depth, allowing for nuanced communication within goat herds.
Goats bleat to communicate a variety of messages. They may vocalize when they are hungry, in pain, or to alert their herd to potential danger. Mother goats also use bleats to call to their young kids if they become separated.
Similar to human language development, goat vocal behaviors can evolve over time, influenced by their environment. A study conducted in the UK on pygmy goat kids born in 2009 and 2010 revealed that goat kids raised together developed more similar calls compared to those raised separately. This finding suggests that a goat’s individual bleat is shaped by its social surroundings and learned communication within its group.
