Animal Diaries Archive

Brand new Nubians!

26 August 2005

It's easy to spot the most outstanding feature of our two newest arrivals - they've each got the most incredible set of ears we've ever seen! The boys are Tex and Fez, and many Zoo guests are able to quickly identify their breed as Anglo-Nubians just by the swing of their ears.

Anglo-Nubians are a very hardy breed, often described as having 'a proud carriage and a great deal of grace'. Their origins stem from the deserts of Africa and the English countryside, with the cross-breeding of both lines of goats resulting in the breed as we know it today. Their rugged desert heritage means that they're very well suited to much of Australia's climate, which makes them a very popular milking breed in our country. And our boys, at only two weeks old, are already displaying the robust, hardy nature of their breed... though they have a little bit of work to do when it comes to being 'proud and graceful'!

It didn't take the pair long at all to adjust to their new home, and they were very curious about their surroundings and new friends right from the word go. Tex and Fez soon found out that their ears were very popular... in terms of getting nibbled on, that is! But it wasn't long before their distinctive, high-pitched voices were chiming in with all the others', and by bedtime on the very first day of their arrival they were cuddled right up with the smallest of the lambs.

We're already in love with our little Anglo-Nubians, and are looking forward to watching them grow up.