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Post by ruby on Feb 4, 2021 16:54:15 GMT -5
You're not seeing things—these goats in Essaouira, Morocco, have climbed high up into an argan tree. And it's not a one-time event. The goats enjoy the small yellow fruit these trees produce, and when the low-hanging fruit is gone they're willing and able to make the climb. Goats aren't the only ones benefitting from these trees. The nuts from argan trees are used to produce argan oil, which is edible and also used for some rather pricey cosmetics, making it a valuable export. The goats contribute to the argan oil business when orchard owners enlist them to unwittingly harvest the nuts. Because the goats tend to swallow the entire fruit, the nuts pass through their digestive systems intact. Once the nuts are excreted, they're gathered from the droppings and cracked open to expose the seed kernels inside—it's these kernels that contain the valuable oil. Occasionally the partnership between orchard owner and goat backfires, though, and the goats must be prevented from chomping away too much in the interest of profits. It's all a delicate balancing act.
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Post by ruby on Feb 4, 2021 16:57:30 GMT -5
Next time you see a TV ad for beauty products containing argan oil, you'll know where it came from.
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Post by 2old on Feb 4, 2021 20:13:31 GMT -5
The one daughter who has pygmy goats can attest to them climbing anywhere and everywhere. It is amazing how 'cat like' goats have with zero fear of heights. I, for one, have sure learned a lot about goats since she and her family began raising them.
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Post by nkat on Feb 5, 2021 11:36:10 GMT -5
That is so special! Animals are amazing.
Nkat
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Post by birdgal on Feb 5, 2021 18:51:52 GMT -5
They are so smart and beautiful.
I pet sat for two goats. When their human was showing me where she kept them I asked her why was there an old beat up car in there with them. They showed me by leaping up on that car as if it was a mountain of earth.
So beautiful, smart, and fun.
Ruby, I like the title!
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