Goats are very intelligent and curious animals and keeping them, whether as livestock for their meat or for their milk, or as pets (which is more common than you think!), can be an extremely interesting and rewarding experience.
If you have goats, you are probably fully aware of their dietary and shelter needs but have you ever considered how goats see and whether they need light at night.
Well, I have done the research for you and am excited to share it with you today.
In this article we are going to explore this topic and answer the question “do goats need light at night?”
The answer to this question is no, goats do not need light at night. Goats actually have excellent vision and are able to see 320 degrees around them. They are also able to see extremely well at night and are even able to graze in the dark. It is, therefore, not necessary to give your goat light at night.
Just because they can see well at night doesn’t mean that all goats like the dark or are well suited for it.
In this article we are going to explore why goats can see well at night, whether you should provide them with light at night, and whether they are afraid of the dark.
We are going to answer all of these questions and more as we dive deeper into the topic of do goats need light at night.
Let’s get into it!
Can goats see well at night?
Yes, goats are actually able to see very well at night.
This is due to the way their eyes are designed/have evolved.
Goats have horizontal pupils which are in the shape of rectangles.
Their eyes are also slightly off centre and are positioned more on the side of their heads.
These two factors combine to allow goats to have excellent night vision as well as an extremely wide field of view and excellent depth perception.
As a result, goats are able to see effectively in the dark and have excellent peripheral vision, being able to see 320 degrees around them without having a blind spot in the front.
Goats are also able to control the amount of light that is entering into their eyes.
This allows them to avoid being blinded during the day by the sun but also allows them to see well at night and across long distances.
Goats can obviously see better during the day, but they are still able to see well enough at night to graze, avoid danger, and move around safely.
Are goats afraid of the dark?
No, goats are not afraid of the dark.
As mentioned above, they are actually able to see quite well in the dark and are able to move around freely and comfortably.
This means that goats are very comfortable in the dark and are able to function normally.
Goats only need about five hours of sleep per night and, if it is warm enough outside or the conditions are nice enough, they will even graze and move about in the night if they get hungry or restless.
Goats have evolved to be able to live effectively at night and are able to expertly deal with the challenges of their natural environment such as finding food and water, climbing, avoiding predators, and protecting their young.
While domesticated goats don’t have any of these issues or need to worry about these things, their natural instincts are still sharp, and they are perfectly equipped to survive and thrive at night.
Are baby goats afraid of the dark?
When baby goats are born, they spend the majority of the first part of their lives with their mothers in a suitable shelter such as a barn or shed.
These shelters are usually well lit and warm and provide a comfortable location for your kids.
Once they are older and able to interact with the rest of the herd in the yard or pastures, their eyes and senses will have started to fully develop and will be comfortable in their natural environment.
As a result, baby goats are not scared of the dark, but it does take them a little while to become accustomed to it.
Should you light your goat’s shelter at night?
Even though goats can see well at night there are still circumstances and reasons as to why you would want to light your goat’s shelter at night despite their excellent vision.
Predators
Goats are prey animals and, as a result, are vulnerable against predators.
Most prey animals are evolved to be able to see well at night as they need to be alert for the threat of predators that like to hunt at night.
Goats are no exception and have excellent vision and senses that allow them to spot predators at any time of day.
If you live in an area that has a large number of predators then it would be worth it to light your goat’s barn or shed during the night to help deter potential predators.
You can also light the yard itself and can implement motion activated lighting systems.
If you want to allow your goats to roam around freely at night despite the risks of predators then you should invest in a livestock guardian to help protect them.
Goats with poor eyesight
Not all goats are blessed with excellent eyesight.
This is especially true for older goats or goats that are fully blind or have partial blindness.
In this situation it would be a good idea to light your goat’s shelter at night in order to assist your visually impaired goats and help to make their lives easier and more comfortable.
Lighting your goat’s shelter at night
Goats’ shelters should be well lit even during the day to allow the goat owners to easily see what they are doing, especially if they are milking their goats or are cleaning the shelter.
When lighting your goats shelter you need to ensure that the mains for the electricity and the wiring for the lights are out of the way of your goats.
Goats love to chew and chomp on anything and everything they come in contact with, and it can become dangerous if they were to chew on electrical wiring.
Goats are very curious and intelligent animals and they have evolved over time to be able to live effectively at night and to be comfortable in the dark.
The main evolution is with their eyes which are positioned on the sides of their faces and have horizontal, rectangular pupils.
This gives goats excellent peripheral vision being able to see 320 degrees around them, a high level of depth perception, and a high degree of night vision.
Goats, therefore, do not need light at night and it is perfectly safe to house them in the dark at night.
There are some instances in which you would want to light either your goat’s shelter or the surrounding yard area such as the presence/threat of predators or if you have old or visually impaired goats.
For the most part, however, goats don’t need light at night, and you shouldn’t be concerned about leaving your goat out at night as they will be perfectly safe.