...
Yet despite all appearances, these goats (also known as myotonic goats, "Tennessee stiff-legs," "Tennessee wooden-legs," "nervous goats" and "fall-down goats") aren't simply weak of heart or abnormally prone to fright. In fact, fainting goats don't actually faint or lose consciousness at all during these episodes. Due to an congenital (present from birth) medical condition known as myotonia congenita or Thomsen's disease, the goat's muscles tense up when the animal is startled and don't immediately relax. Think of it as a full-body charley horse, except without the pain.
The severity of the condition varies. Some fainting goats will stiffen up every time they're startled, others less frequently. Symptoms often lessen over time and some animals are able to better adapt to the condition. Younger goats are more prone to fall over and tumble when startled, but as they grow older, many eventually manage to avoid falling down altogether during an episode.
They simply run away from a threat on stiffened legs. Older goats also tend to become more secure with their environment and startle less easily.
Read more: http://inovemondi.forumfree.it/?t=67765665
No comments:
Post a Comment