Long-tailed Goral, an Internationally Protected Species

The Long-tailed gorals are also known as "living fossils," because they retain the traits of bovine ancestors through the phylogenetic evolution. There are four species of moutain goats worldwide, all of which are internationally protected.   

There is one particular species of mountain goats (N. caudatus) in Korea. Their habitat is known to be in the mountainous rocky areas of Hwacheon, Yanggu, and Goseong in Gangwon-do, currently bordering the DMZ. They tend to come down from the ridge at night looking for food.

Mountain goats have a simliar appearance to goats but lack beards and are, in fact, genetically distant.  

Both males and females have short, sharp horns with rings at the base.  

It has grayish-brown fur and has white spots on its neck.

It is characterized by a black line extending along the back to the tip of its tail.  

Most hoofed animals move their hooves because they are fixed, but mountain goats can move theirs like toes, allowing them to quickly climb up steep rock crevices.   

It is said that Long-tailed gorals have a unique habit of defecating only in one spot.