The domestic goat (Capra aegagrus hircus) is a widely distributed small ruminant species that is kept mainly for meat, milk, hides and hair. Unlike cattle and sheep goats are primarily browsing animals and have an extremely varied plant diet that has allowed them to adapt to many diverse environments. They are raised in a wide range of production systems around the world. The majority are raised in smallholder, mixed farming systems but goats are an important component of pastoralist herds and high-value animals are raised for specialized dairy production in temperate regions.