A brown Nubian goat with long floppy ears standing on straw. — Photo: 4028mdk09, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nubian Goat

Capra aegagrus hircus

A tall dairy goat breed with long, floppy ears and a rounded nose, developed in England from British, African and Indian goats.

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About the Nubian Goat

Nubian goats, also called Anglo-Nubian goats, were developed in England by crossing British goats with goats from Africa and India. Females stand at least 30 inches tall and weigh 135 pounds or more, and males are even bigger. They have short, glossy coats in black, red or tan and a raised, rounded nose. Their milk is about 5 percent butterfat and often used for cheese.^[1]

Quick facts

Scientific name: Capra aegagrus hircus^[1]
Size: Females at least 30 inches at the withers. Males at least 35 inches.^[1]
Weight: Females 135 pounds or more. Males at least 175 pounds.^[1]
Lifespan: About 10 years.^[1]
Diet: Herbivore. Hay, plants, grain and produce.^[1]
Where it lives: Developed in England; now kept worldwide.^[1]
Group life: Herds led by a matriarch.^[1]
Babies: Pregnancy lasts 148 to 156 days. Twins or triplets.^[1]

Fun facts

In a Nubian herd, the mother goat with the most kids is the leader.^[1]
An alarmed Nubian goat sneezes and stomps a front foot.^[1]
Nubian milk is about 5 percent butterfat.^[1]

Vocabulary

domesticated: Tamed and raised by people over many generations.
breed: A group of domestic animals that people have raised to share certain traits.
matriarch: The older female who leads a family group.
butterfat: The fat in milk, which makes it rich and creamy.
hierarchy: A ranking of who is in charge in a group.

See it in person

Zoo AtlantaAtlanta, Georgia · All AnimalsSee this animal on the zoo's website ↗

These zoos had this animal when we gathered our information, but animals sometimes move. Check the zoo's website or contact the zoo before you visit.

Sources

[1] Zoo Atlanta. “Nubian Goat.” https://zooatlanta.org/animal/nubian-goat/ (accessed 2026-10-02)

Facts last checked 2026-10-02.

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