So we’ve got fainting schoolgirls (since the Beatles era till now), fainting makciks (due to Taufik and Hady’s Phenomena), fainting models (on America’s Next Top Model), so why not fainting goats? Yes. Fainting goats. You heard it right.
Here’s a special breed of goat that actually has the most bizarre trait that I have ever seen. Believe it or not, these fainting goats (scientifically known as Myotonic goats) actually stiffen up whenever they are startled. Young fainting goats tend to fall on their side (keel) while the older ones, would just run away with their stiff legs.
So check out these hilarious videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we9_CdNPuJg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_3Utmj4RPU&feature=related
Since birth, these farm goats suffer a genetic condition called myotonia congenital or Thomsen’s disease. Their muscle tensed up and do not relax immediately. Hence, they eventually freeze up when they are caught by the element of surprise. However, they don’t actually faint. These goats remained conscious when they experience this short episode and do not suffer any pain.
So what’s the different when you scare the berjezzus out of common goats and the fainting goats?
Well firstly, picture that you are being charged at, your eyes and ears will relay signals to your brain about the perceived threat. Our brain will then send electrical signal to all of the skeletal muscles in our body, including our neck and legs, which then causes a brief tension. THIS IS WHAT WE REFER TO AS FLIGHT OR FIGHT RESPONSE.
In common goats, unaffected by the disease, an immediate relaxing of the muscle will takes place. This prompts the goats to run away from the perceived threat. However, for the fainting goats, the tensed muscle will remain stiffen and will only relax slowly. Thus, they remain stiff for quite some time.
I laughed myself silly when I watched this video. Well partly due to a bunch of goats falling on their sides due to some wacko farmer running around with a brightly coloured umbrella. I do feel really bad about finding this amusing though. Basically, humans view these animals as playthings. For amusement. (Guilty!) For entertainment. (Guilty Again!). However, according to the Humane Society of the United States, due to the novelty of the fainting goats, they are most likely better cared than more common farm goats.
Goats are not the only breeds that actually suffer this hereditary disorder; some humans too suffer such conditions but of course, they don't actually fall on their side like the goats do.. Ooo what a sight that will be!!! Click here for more info on this condition on humans.
These goats are also bred to herd sheep. Basically, say a wolf appears, the sheep are able to escape while the fainting goats will freeze up, making them the easy kill. Poor goats. But don’t worry, this practice has fallen out. Besides, where on earth do you think the term 'scapegoat' come from?!?!?! Although it appears that the stiffening of the muscle may be bad news for the goats when there is a threat, I think perhaps it could be a defense mechanism. Say a predator would not hunt an animal if it just dropped dead because its not a healthy food source. So what say you?!?!
References:
Youtube Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we9_CdNPuJg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_3Utmj4RPU&feature=related
Image:
http://discovermagazine.com/2007/brain/if-i-only-had-a-brain/faintedgoat.jpg
Other Information:
Mytonia Congenita
Fainting Goats- More Info