Neapolitan Goat
The Neapolitan Goat is an autochthonous race which during the years has suffered from a strong genetic erosion caused by the introduction of specifically selected goat’s races (Saanen, Maltese, Camosciata, etc.). For this reason this species is considered at risk of extinction from FAO and MiPAF.
The R.A.R.E. association (Razze Autoctone a Rischio Estinzione) is engaged in the safeguard and protection of this particular species and it is promoting a series of initiatives about it.
The Neapolitan goat is of medium size, small head, with two horns, udders. It has dangling ears and no beard. The fleece is black, with limited light red areas, or dark red with lighter areas. The hair is short. The average height for males is 80 cm, with a weight of 60-65 kg. Females instead can reach 72 cm of height and 50-55 kg of weight.
In 1916 Scarpiniti writes about the Neapolitan goat in its treatise “Il problema zootecnico per la provincial di Napoli” (The zootechnical problem for the Province of Naples), highlighting the excellent quality of the milk which was so appreciated from English that some heads were selected to be imported in Australia. This species is present since a long time in the area of the Vesuvio and in the Neapolitan slope of the Monti Lattari.
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