Feral Goats (Capra hircus)

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Range: Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, Molokaʻi, Oʻahu, Kauaʻi

Region of origin: Europe

Date of first introduction: 1778 (Niʻihau), ~1778 (Hawaiʻi island)

Average size: 25 kg to 55 kg

Litter frequency: 1 to 2 per year

Litter size: 1 to 2 (twinning common)

Home range: Female - 13.3 ± 4.7 km , Male - 40.0 ± 7.9 km

Diet: Indiscriminate plant generalists

References: Tomich 1986, Chynoweth et al. 2015

Identifying Markers

Physical Appearance: Short, coarse coats, in varying colors (black, brown, white, or mixed), small to medium in size (25 kg to 55 kg), short and upright tail and ears, often with a noticeable goatee.

Tracks (Footprints): Two-toed cloven hoof prints, about 1 to 2 inches long (more pointed than pig tracks, with narrower spacing).

Scat: Small, round, dark brown or black pellets, clustered in piles, found near resting, feeding, or bedding areas.

Browsing Damage: Plants may appear stripped of leaves up to roughly 4 feet high, distinctive from pigs (which root) and deer (which nip stems clean). Girdling or stripping of tree bark also common.

Paths and Trails: Well-worn, narrow trails on steep slopes, cliffs, and ridges.

Environmental Impacts

Feral goats thrive in steep, rocky terrain in Hawaiʻi, where few other ungulates can reach, making them particularly destructive to steep and difficult to access areas. Their intense browsing habits strip vegetation, eliminating groundcover and preventing native plant regeneration. This overgrazing leads to excess erosion, landslides, and the loss of soil stability, especially in dry and coastal ecosystems that are already vulnerable. Feral goats also contribute to the spread of invasive species by serving as seed dispersers.