Native to North America, mountain goats spend much of the year scaling peaks from south-central Alaska down to the northern Rockies. They tend to live at high altitudes, often above 13,000 feet, where their sure-footed climbing ability allows them to clamber up extraordinarily steep, rocky slopes. In the winter, they"ll migrate down to slightly lower elevations to seek shelter in subalpine forests with south-facing rocky ledges, where the sun and relentless winds keep ice to a minimum. Here, they forage for lichen, mosses, grasses, and other greens. Their woolly, two-layered coats keep them toasty as temperatures dip, which is probably why even in the chill of western Montana this young mountain goat—or kid—appears to be having a ball. Enjoying winter is all about how you dress.
Dressed for winter fun
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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International Day for Biosphere Reserves
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Mandarin duck, Richmond Park, London, England
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Muskoxen in Dovre-Sunndalsfjella National Park, Norway
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A grand event
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A Carpathian Christmas celebration
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Falling for Rioja
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Aýna, Albacete, Spain
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Who left the tub running?
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Welcome to my neck of the woods
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The Children’s Cultural Festival in Reykjavik begins today
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Avatars of the Wolf Moon
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It’s Canada’s national day
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Celebrating a Paris landmark
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Holi festival
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Kjell Henriksen Observatory
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National Mushroom Month
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South Stack Lighthouse, Holy Island, Wales
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National Park Week: Olympic National Park, Washington
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Swimming into the season
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Walton Lighthouse, Santa Cruz, California
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Paleontology meets art
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Happy Pi Day!
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The first ascent
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Darwin Day
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Festivus
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Fall for birding
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Detroit Industry Murals by Diego Rivera
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In the belly of Fat Bear Week
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National Aviation Day
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Celebrate Mandela Day