Dam Goats
The picture to the left is of a couple of Alpine ibex goats. (Click on the picture or here for a larger image.)
What is amazing is that the goats actually climbed the front face of the Cingino Dam in northern Italy. The face of the dam isn’t perfectly vertical, which allows the goats, who have a specialized split hoof, to climb the rocks on the dam where they happily lick the rocks for salt.
According to National Geographic:
The goats are attracted to the dam’s salt-crusted stones, according to the U.K.-based Caters news agency. Grazing animals don’t get enough of the mineral in their vegetarian diets.
I know this is a silly question, but one has to wonder what the first goat that climbed up this dam was thinking. Or even better, what he said to his buddies. Can’t you just hear it now……
“Those two legged creatures piled those rocks up there. Looks like there’s water behind them.”
“Yeah.”
“Wonder what the rocks taste like?”
“I dunno, let’s climb up the thing and see.”
“Damn, that might be a baaaaaaaad idea.” (Double pun intended.)
“HEY! FREE SALT FOR EVERYONE!”
To see the goats in all their climbing glory, click here, the picture to the right, or visit the National Geographic site.
Simply amazing.
