Fainting Goats as Pets
These Goats are Also Called Tennessee Fainting Goats, Myotonic Goats
Myotonic Goats, Fainting Goats, Tennessee Scare Goats, Tumbler Goats – there are several names for this distinctive type of domesticated goat, all of who are affected by a hereditary condition called myotonia congenita. And like other goat varieties, fainting goats are sure to make affectionate, intelligent pets.
Myotonic goats first appeared in Tennessee, possibly in the Marshall County area, in the late 1800s. The genetic mutation that causes the goat to “faint” was initially spontaneous, but it’s now an attribute that’s intentionally bred into this member of the bovine family.
According to longtime goat breeder Virginia Hadley, “Fainting goats make friendly, unique pets. 'Fainting' occurs on a daily basis, due to excitement or fear – it’s not uncommon for them to start tumbling when they see you approaching with dinner.”
Myotonic goats do not actually lose consciousness when they “faint.” The goat’s muscles contract when they’re startled or excited, and as a result, the goat stops moving, stiffens and falls over. The degree of stiffness varies from goat to goat, with more muscular goats displaying more dramatic myotonic episodes.
In terms of appearance, myotonic goats look just like any other goat; it’s their “fainting” episodes that set them apart, although goats with this condition do tend to be on the smaller side. These vegetarians weigh in at 100 to 300 lbs., with the males or “bucks” an average of 20 percent larger than the females, also called “does.” The average lifespan is 15 years.
In addition to being kept as pets, myotonic goats are often kept as “insurance” against predatory attacks on goat and sheep herds. Hadley explained, “Goats are fast runners for short distances, so the fainting goat has an advantage. When a predator chases the herd, the myotonic goat will faint, while the rest keep running. The predator will usually stop to examine the fainting goat, but they usually don’t quite know what to make of it, and they’ll move on. Meanwhile, the rest of the herd has escaped to safety.”
A new variety of fainting goat has surfaced in recent years. In addition to the Tennessee Fainting Goat, there now exists the Texas Fainting Goat, which tends to be larger and more muscular.
Myotonic goats are currently bred throughout the United States and Canada. Pet quality fainting goats can typically be purchased for $300 to $600.
About Myotonia Congenita
Myotonia congenita is carried by an autosomal dominant gene, meaning it is not a sex-linked trait. The mutation that produces this condition can be found on the CLCN1 gene. Goats with myotonia congenita are found to have diminished chloride conductivity in the cell membrane.
Myotonia has been observed in goats in utero, and it can also affect other species, including mice, horses, dogs (primarily the Chow Chow), and pigeons, aptly named “tumbler pigeons.” Myotonia congenita is seen in humans as a less severe version of Thomsen’s Disease, and myotonic episodes can also be induced in humans by certain cholesterol medications.
Additional information on myotonic goats can also be obtained via The Myotonic Goat Registry. The organization, based in Chapel Hill, Tennessee, is dedicated to the preservation of myotonic goats.
