Photo: Fadel Sina/National Geographic
At first glance, the scene seems almost impossible. Dozens of goats balance effortlessly on thorny tree branches, rising several meters off the ground like mountain ledges.
This magnificent sight has become one of the most popular natural attractions in Morocco, leaving travelers wondering whether the photos are real or not. However, these agile animals do not perform any tricks. They are simply searching for food in one of the driest areas of North Africa. Even more surprising, scientists have discovered that this unusual feeding behavior may also help disperse seeds and contribute to the natural regeneration of Morocco’s rare argan forests. This is because goats, trees and society are closely linked to each other, making an interesting case study of the interplay between animal behaviour, environment and traditional occupations.
Morocco’s famous tree-climbing goats are helping forests in an unexpected way
According to National Geographic magazine, the legendary tree-climbing goat is mostly seen in southwestern Morocco, where argan trees (Argania spinosa) thrive in a semi-arid environment. Unlike other trees, argan produces fleshy fruit that attracts goats.
Goats are very skilled at climbing. They have very strong and well-developed leg muscles, and their split hooves, combined with remarkable balance, help them easily climb narrow and thorny branches to find the best fruit.
Photo: Erika Hobart/National Geographic
According to the United Nations, the argan tree is uniquely adapted to Morocco’s dry climate and plays a vital environmental, social and economic role by providing food, preventing soil erosion and supporting rural livelihoods.Instead of climbing for fun, goats respond to limited grazing opportunities. Reaching fruit at the top of the canopy provides a valuable source of energy in an environment where fresh plants are often scarce.
How tree-climbing goats are helping to regenerate endangered argan forests in Morocco
For generations, local communities believed that goats played a role in spreading argan trees, but scientists have recently investigated exactly how this happened.The fruit contains a hard nut that protects the seeds inside.
Goats consume the soft outer pulp but often reject or excrete the hard nut later after digestion. This process allows seeds to be moved away from the parent tree, increasing the chances of successful germination in new locations.The research, titled “Tree-climbing goats disperse seeds during rumination,” published in the Ecological Society of America’s Frontiers in Ecology and Environment journal, found that goats can serve as effective long-distance seed dispersers for argan trees by transporting viable seeds across the landscape.The researchers concluded:“Goats distribute viable argan seeds. To successfully distribute seeds, many plant species produce edible fruits that attract picking vertebrates, which ingest the fruits and transport the seeds within their bodies until they are released elsewhere via regurgitation or defecation.”This finding contradicts the traditional idea that grazing animals only have a negative impact on forests.
If grazing is done right, goats can also be an asset in reforestation operations due to their ability to disperse seeds beyond the canopy of a mature tree.However, researchers also point out the need to maintain a proper balance. Overgrazing, especially by large herds of animals, can stunt the growth of seedlings in argan forests.
Does goat climbing really benefit the argan oil industry and local communities?
The Argania spinosa tree is considered one of the world’s most famous trees because it produces argan oil, which is considered one of the most expensive vegetable oils.
This oil is traditionally used in Moroccan cuisine and is currently growing in popularity in the beauty and cosmetics industries. It is produced from the seeds that grow inside the hard nut of the fruit.One of the many myths surrounding the production of argan oil is that it is always produced using seeds collected from goat feces.The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve designation of the Arganeraie area highlights the exceptional ecological, cultural and economic importance of the area, recognizing it as a natural area in which biodiversity conservation and sustainable development are closely linked.Millions of people have seen photos of goats sitting in trees, but some roadside displays are created specifically for tourists. Conservation organizations and wildlife experts encourage visitors to choose ethical operators and avoid attractions where animals appear to be placed in trees only for photography rather than for natural grazing.However, when observed in real grazing areas, tree-climbing goats remain one of the most unusual examples of behavioral adaptation to a challenging environment.
An extraordinary partnership formed by nature
The idea of goats on branches may seem ridiculous at first glance; However, this is an example of an extraordinary biological reaction that has developed over hundreds of years. Under the influence of scarcity of food resources, these agile creatures climb argan trees and eat their fruits, thus scattering their seeds.When combined with sustainable land use, this natural tendency helps preserve one of the most extraordinary forest ecosystems on Earth. This proves that even the most bizarre animal behaviors are capable of playing a vital role in conservation efforts.
