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If you thought that beauty pageants were for people only, you might be surprised to find that there are beauty contests for camels, badgers, cats, and even goats. And, if typically the contestants who enter the pageants are absolutely gorgeous, a different kind of beauty is valued in goats, especially Damascus goats.
What is a Damascus Goat?
The goat beauty pageant, held in Saudi Arabia, prizes billies known as the Damascus goat, aka Capra aegagrus hircus, or simply Shami. If you ask the internet, ‘What is the ugliest animal in the world?’ it might show you this bizarre goat on the list of the ugliest animals in the world. And though we don't like calling our four-legged pals ugly, this goat breed has some very unusual characteristics.
What’s shocking about these strange animals is the stark difference between their looks when they’re young and when they grow up. What seems to be incredibly cute goats with very long ears later turns into a monstrosity with bulging noses that could scare many people. Yet, beauty is subjective, and some people absolutely adore this strange goat and even find it beautiful.
What is the Damascus Goat Used for?
The Damascus goat is generally used for milk production but also performs well in leather and meat production. This rare breed of goat has become extremely valuable, and according to goat connoisseurs, their price can go all the way up to 8,000 USD, depending on their beauty.
The average weight of this extraordinary creature is between 50-90 kg. Its bizarre appearance comprises a long neck and legs accompanied by a small head. It has long, curved horns that look threatening. But don’t be fooled by its appearance. It is extremely docile, gentle, easy to handle, and adorable. It also has a religious significance and appears in classic Arabic literature and folklore.
Below, we’ve assembled some incredible pictures of these goats that we can’t wait for you to see. From a Damascus goat baby to an adult one, take a look for yourself and decide whether they deserve to be called cute or ugly animals.
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#2
Aria FAFAT 7 years ago
I feel so bad for these guys... all caged up, with people just staring at them. They must be so scared, cooped up, lonely... no animal, unless needed due to health/other concerns, should be caged up like this. This makes me so sad.
Aria FAFAT 7 years ago
Makes me so sad... he's caged up, with all those people staring at him. He's probably scared poor thing. Unless he needs it due to medical/health concerns or something else, I don't think any animal should be treated like this.
Charlotte Brine 7 years ago
this genuinely looks like someone attempting terribly bad shadow puppets!
Betty Rushing 1 year ago
Looks like they would have a difficult time Eating! It also looks like somebody has made Mistakes trying to breed them.
Evie Grove 4 years ago
But it’s really sad they cut of his ears. People are also probably only interested in him because of how weird he looks. This is so mean, putting an animal on display because they were born different.
Wanetta Pierunek 5 years ago
I know their mouths look like it would b hard to eat. I wonder what feeding time looks like
Dirk Steyn 5 years ago
I’m afraid the article has it all wrong. The Barbie doll is a Gulabi goat from Saudi Arabia. It’s not a Damascus goat. The ugly black goat in the picture #2, that’s a Damascus goat. shami-not-...7789e8.jpg 
Stephanie Hutner 7 years ago
I'd love to put one of those people in the cages so everyone can point and judge at them. The poor thing is probably terrified
M O'Connell 7 years ago
We have that, it's called "everywhere, all the time" at least if you have anxiety.
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#8
Happiness is Hippo 7 years ago
I wish they all had their ears uncut like this one. I can't understand why people insist on cutting ears and tails off animals, it's horrible. And they look so much better in their natural state, as they're meant to look!
#10
#14
Zenozenobee 7 years ago
OK, now, I'm sure they cut their ears... why creating a breed with unbelivable long ears, to end up by mutilate these poor animals?
Baa!
Although it might look scary, the Damascus goat skull is just like the skull of any goat. What we are trying to say is that their appearance should not be a factor in judging them. They are incredibly useful creatures that can truly be a farmer’s best friend. Don’t be too harsh on them just because of their scary looks. Give them a chance and get to know them more. Who knows, like many others, you might also find them beautiful!
FAQs About Damascus Goats
What is the Lifespan of a Damascus Goat?
The Damascus goat can live from 8 up to 12 years of age.
What Do Damascus Goats Eat?
Damascus goats can eat various plant materials like forage, grasses, weeds, or hay.
Do Damascus Goats Have Health Problems?
Like any livestock, even Damascus goats can have health problems like parasitic infections, respiratory infections, foot problems, or viral or bacterial diseases, to name a few.
How Much Milk Does a Damascus Goat Produce a Day?
A Damascus goat can produce approximately 1 to 2 liters of milk daily.
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What do you think ?
Cassie 7 years ago
The stubby face is not natural to the breed and is a mutation maintained by some breeders and I think that's irresponsible. The breed has long-flowing ears and the ones you see with stubby tube ears have been cut that way. This is objectionable treatment of the breed at best.
Tony Moon 7 years ago
Every time I see a pitbull with its ears and tail cut I cry for it. They were beautiful before they had their appendages cut. If you want a short eared animal, breed it that way.
Load More Replies...
Carol Harrison 7 years ago
I really, really loathe the breeders who breed for extreme traits, usually to the detriment of the actual animal. They may be cosseted and well cared for, but often they have a hard time eating, breathing, moving.
M O'Connell 7 years ago
If you look up the breeding standards for Shami goats, you will see that the traits you mention usually eliminate the animal in question from the breeding population. They will be used for fiber, leather and meat, not dairy (since milk production requires breeding). Keeping those with exaggerated faces around isn't cruel, it's thrifty.
Load More Replies... Tony Moon 7 years ago
Mutilating an animal to your aesthetic I think is the most ugly thing we as humans can do to another animal. Other than actually causing the animal pain, changing its physical features to make us happy is pure hubris on our part. I wish people would just be happy with the animal the way it is.
Anna Shamsuddin 5 years ago
come on man! It's better than them chewing their ears or getting them ripped by a fence! :)
Load More Replies... Nope 7 years ago
Not cool to selectively breed to favor mutations. Dog, cats, goats, fish, it doesn't matter. It's unethical, in my humble opinion.
diane a 7 years ago
Most of todays favorite pet breeds, and I dont mean the ones with inbred health issues, have been selectively bred for centuries for preferred traits, colours and body shape and sizes. We would barely have recognised them 200 years ago. A number of our favorite dog breeds did not even exist before breeders combined the best traits of sever different types of dog - I think the St Bernard is one
Load More Replies...
RaroaRaroa 7 years ago
So are they actually a separate "rare breed" or a rare mutation of some other breed? It seems to me, if they are a breed in themselves, then they'd only be rare if they have fertility problems. Otherwise they'd be just as many as any other breed of goat. Whichever it is, it's sick and cruel to be breeding an animal with a face which can't possibly work as comfortably or efficiently as one where the jaws fit together properly. Not to mention cutting their ears off to make them uglier. Poor creatures.
Fiendhunter 7 years ago
Tere's a "Most Beautiful Goat Award"?? What is happening in Saudi Arabia? I've never understood Beauty contests, be it human or animals, it's just so..... arbitrary.
SykesDaMan 7 years ago
Well, I'll just leave this here, it is more absurd than you can imagine: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/24/saudi-camel-beauty-contest-judges-get--hump-botox-cheats
Load More Replies...
Mojones 7 years ago
Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. When the beholder wears three pair of sunglasses, squints and focuses on the far horizon, he might be able to see things others simply can't notice. Jokes aside, I know nothing about goats and breeding, and simply hope, that they are healthier and happier than they appear.
Elizabeth Molloy 7 years ago
I should think the ears are cut as they just keep growing and get in the goats' eyes and under their feet. Farmers don't usually maim their own livestock for no reason.
Casandra Nițescu 7 years ago
why would they keep breeding these goats? Are they at least healthy? This just makes me sad to see.
diane a 7 years ago
That would literally scare the hell out of me if I came upon it in the wild - what a genetic mutation!!
diane a 7 years ago
but why on earth would anyone want to intentionally create an animal that looks this extreme?
Load More Replies...
Cassie 7 years ago
The stubby face is not natural to the breed and is a mutation maintained by some breeders and I think that's irresponsible. The breed has long-flowing ears and the ones you see with stubby tube ears have been cut that way. This is objectionable treatment of the breed at best.
Tony Moon 7 years ago
Every time I see a pitbull with its ears and tail cut I cry for it. They were beautiful before they had their appendages cut. If you want a short eared animal, breed it that way.
Load More Replies... Carol Harrison 7 years ago
I really, really loathe the breeders who breed for extreme traits, usually to the detriment of the actual animal. They may be cosseted and well cared for, but often they have a hard time eating, breathing, moving.
M O'Connell 7 years ago
If you look up the breeding standards for Shami goats, you will see that the traits you mention usually eliminate the animal in question from the breeding population. They will be used for fiber, leather and meat, not dairy (since milk production requires breeding). Keeping those with exaggerated faces around isn't cruel, it's thrifty.
Load More Replies... Tony Moon 7 years ago
Mutilating an animal to your aesthetic I think is the most ugly thing we as humans can do to another animal. Other than actually causing the animal pain, changing its physical features to make us happy is pure hubris on our part. I wish people would just be happy with the animal the way it is.
Anna Shamsuddin 5 years ago
come on man! It's better than them chewing their ears or getting them ripped by a fence! :)
Load More Replies... Nope 7 years ago
Not cool to selectively breed to favor mutations. Dog, cats, goats, fish, it doesn't matter. It's unethical, in my humble opinion.
diane a 7 years ago
Most of todays favorite pet breeds, and I dont mean the ones with inbred health issues, have been selectively bred for centuries for preferred traits, colours and body shape and sizes. We would barely have recognised them 200 years ago. A number of our favorite dog breeds did not even exist before breeders combined the best traits of sever different types of dog - I think the St Bernard is one
Load More Replies... RaroaRaroa 7 years ago
So are they actually a separate "rare breed" or a rare mutation of some other breed? It seems to me, if they are a breed in themselves, then they'd only be rare if they have fertility problems. Otherwise they'd be just as many as any other breed of goat. Whichever it is, it's sick and cruel to be breeding an animal with a face which can't possibly work as comfortably or efficiently as one where the jaws fit together properly. Not to mention cutting their ears off to make them uglier. Poor creatures.
Fiendhunter 7 years ago
Tere's a "Most Beautiful Goat Award"?? What is happening in Saudi Arabia? I've never understood Beauty contests, be it human or animals, it's just so..... arbitrary.
SykesDaMan 7 years ago
Well, I'll just leave this here, it is more absurd than you can imagine: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/24/saudi-camel-beauty-contest-judges-get--hump-botox-cheats
Load More Replies... Mojones 7 years ago
Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. When the beholder wears three pair of sunglasses, squints and focuses on the far horizon, he might be able to see things others simply can't notice. Jokes aside, I know nothing about goats and breeding, and simply hope, that they are healthier and happier than they appear.
Elizabeth Molloy 7 years ago
I should think the ears are cut as they just keep growing and get in the goats' eyes and under their feet. Farmers don't usually maim their own livestock for no reason.
Casandra Nițescu 7 years ago
why would they keep breeding these goats? Are they at least healthy? This just makes me sad to see.
diane a 7 years ago
That would literally scare the hell out of me if I came upon it in the wild - what a genetic mutation!!
diane a 7 years ago
but why on earth would anyone want to intentionally create an animal that looks this extreme?
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