As you see in the picture goats (not only wild goats) are so fearless, but I never saw any sheep do this. What is the source of this difference in behavior?
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2$\begingroup$ How is this getting so many up-votes? No offense to the OP but do we really feel that this question shows research effort? $\endgroup$– DQdlMCommented Aug 2, 2013 at 16:39
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$\begingroup$ Perspective update: Are they fearless, though? Or just desperate to escape from a predator (i.e. fearful)? Perhaps they are not so brave as they are naive; having never experienced, or witnessed, the perils of a fall? Perhaps they are just following the brave/naive "leader goat" (to the right). I would be cautious in using the word "fearless"... some background reading, as recommended by @KennyPeanuts, would be nice. $\endgroup$– hello_there_andyCommented Mar 16, 2017 at 19:10
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$\begingroup$ Obviously there are genetic differences. What other possible explanation could there be? If you're asking what genes are involved in the differences, no one has any idea which thousand of the tens of thousands of genetic differences are responsible for this complex behavior. $\endgroup$– iayorkCommented Jun 16, 2017 at 17:03
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$\begingroup$ But there must be some previous scientific attempts to answer this or part of this question $\endgroup$– MySkyCommented Jun 28, 2017 at 20:58
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2 Answers
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1. Sheep are fearless
2. English common names are misleading when it comes to the genetic differences between goats and sheep
You posted a picture of Mountain Goats (Oreamnos americanus), which are a different genus than Domestic Goats (Capra aegagrus). Both Capra and Oreamnos are members of the Subfamily Caprinae, as are Domestic Sheep (Ovis aries).
Within Caprinae, Capra and Ovis are actually more related to each other than either one is to Oreamnos, despite the confusing way that we parcel out English common names. Oreamnos is, in fact, more closely related to the Musk Ox! (Here's the Tree of Life page that shows the phylogeny of Caprinae).
The Domestic Sheep genus Ovis also includes mountain species such as the Bighorn Sheep Ovis canadensis, which is plenty fearless. See the Bighorn Sheep above, and in this incredible photo. For what it's worth, the Domestic Goat genus Capra also includes cool mountain species, such as the Ibex.
Edit: the differences in behaviour between the domestic goat and sheep would be a combination of the initial differences between wild Ovis and Capra and the coevolutionary process of domestication; where humans shape niches to fit animals and animals to fit niches. It's possible that there has been more neotenization in the domestication of sheep, in which individuals who show immature characteristics are successfully selected for. See also this other question on apple and pear domestication.
(Bighorn Sheep photo by TwelveX, used under CC BY-NC-SA license.)
answered Aug 1, 2013 at 7:45
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1$\begingroup$ @MySky the fearless and awesome Urial Sheep (Ovis orientalis vignei) should be near you! At least, Wikipedia says it lives in the mountains of NE Iran. $\endgroup$ Commented Aug 1, 2013 at 8:23
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$\begingroup$ You are right. what about differences between domestic goat and sheep. Which genetic difference leads to difference in behaviors (not abilities). $\endgroup$– MySkyCommented Aug 1, 2013 at 20:04
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1$\begingroup$ @MySky I've added a paragraph about the differences between domestic goats and sheep. $\endgroup$ Commented Aug 2, 2013 at 0:08
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You should also bear in mind that the fact that they are great climbers does not make them fearless. For example, if I were to find myself floating 500 meters above the ground, I would be terrified. The fact that birds do not appear to be scared in the same situation does not make them fearless, it just makes them fliers.
Similarly, I am sure a fish would be terrified if forced to spend half an hour in a beach bar. I, on the other hand, would find it enjoyable and not scary at all. It does not mean I am fearless or brave. You can only be brave when you ignore your fears not when you have none. Since mountain goats are exquisitely suited to jumping around on sheer mountain cliffs, it probably causes them no more fear than visiting a beach bar would cause me.
