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
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A bridge comes full circle
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Polar bear season in Manitoba
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Rolling hills of the Palouse, Washington
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Birthplace of Roman emperors
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Observing World Braille Day in Bavaria
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An old celebration for a new season
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National Bison Month
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International Day of the Tropics
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Mountain goats
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Floating temples in the Land of Smiles
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Oktoberfest begins
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Composite image of a lunar eclipse
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The first ascent
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Kelp buddies
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Falling for Tennessee
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Angkor, Cambodia
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Coming home to roost
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Dressed to impress
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Groundhog Day
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Pride 2025
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A grotesque scene
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Everglades National Park, Florida
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Happy Cousins Day!
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Elbphilharmonie concert hall in Hamburg, Germany
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Midsummer in Sweden
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Southern lights for Antarctica Day
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Patriot Day
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An historic forest
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Lucian Blaga National Theater, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Yosemite National Park, California