A New Addition to the South West Farm
A farm stay in the South West has become the proud home of Western Australia’s first fainting goats, following the arrival of a breeding pair from New South Wales. These unique animals, known as myotonic goats, are an American breed that has captured the attention of internet users for years due to their distinctive trait.
The Unique Traits of Myotonic Goats
Myotonic goats are characterized by a hereditary condition that causes their legs to seize up when they are startled or excited, resulting in them toppling over or “fainting.” This peculiar behavior has made them a popular subject in online humor and viral videos since the early days of the internet and social media.
The two goats, named Dora and Dwayne, are currently adjusting to their new environment at a hobby farm in Busselton, located about 220 kilometers south of Perth. Kevin Kelly, along with his wife Amber, owns a holiday accommodation business on the property. The couple discovered the goats after watching a video on YouTube.
A Unique Herd
Dora and Dwayne have joined a diverse group of animals on the farm, which also includes donkeys and highland cattle. According to Ms. Kelly, Kevin was immediately drawn to the goats because he found them amusing. However, she emphasized that it is a misconception that the goats constantly faint.
“I haven’t seen them faint,” Ms. Kelly said. “Dora had a little episode where my husband came around a corner and she got a little fright.”
She added that the goats do not behave like a freak show and have more dignity than that. “That’s not why we got them,” she clarified.
Her account aligns with what the ABC witnessed during several hours of filming, where neither Dora nor Dwayne fainted.
Understanding the Fainting Mechanism
Paul Hamilton, a breeder based in New South Wales, introduced the breed to Australia in 2015 by importing embryos from Tennessee in the United States. He explained that the fainting is caused by a genetic mutation in the animals.
“They basically have two contractions for every one relaxation if they get stressed,” he said. “If they get a couple of those impulses going on together, they just lock up and over.”
Mr. Hamilton owns a herd of about 60 of the breed in NSW, with Dora and Dwayne being the only other two in the country. He noted that fainting is not painful for the goats.
“They’re not squawking or screaming or I don’t feel that the heartbeat’s racing when they fall over,” he said. However, he expressed disapproval of videos that depict the goats fainting continuously.
“It’s not something which they’re going to do unless they’re really highly stressed,” he added.
A Historical Perspective
Originally bred for their meat, myotonic goats have a distinct and pleasant taste. Mr. Hamilton’s interest in the breed stems from their muscling pattern and potential to produce a true meat goat.
The Kellys have no intention of using Dwayne and Dora for meat. Instead, they plan to keep them as pets for breeding purposes. This decision reflects a growing trend of keeping these unique animals for companionship rather than commercial use.
