Have you heard of goats climbing trees? If you happen to visit Southern Morocco in spring or summer, remember to look for the Argan trees where you can see acrobatic Tamri goats climbing trees to feed on the delicious Argan berries. What is interesting is that after digesting the berries, the frisky goats leave behind droppings which contain oil rich seeds of the Argan fruit!

Local farmers collect these seeds which when extracted, washed, ground and pressed result in Argan oil -- a highly priced golden amber oil used for flavoring food and cosmetics. The Argan oil is rich in Vitamin E (an important vitamin that protects cells from damage). Did you know the Argan oil can sell for as much as $50 a liter?

The Argan Tree

An unripe Argan fruit. cc: flickr, idrisovic

Morocco is a country situated in North Africa on the Atlantic coast and just south of the Mediterranean sea. The Argan tree is unique to the southern regions of Morocco. It is believed about 25 million years ago, these trees covered the entire region of North Africa. They are currently part of the Argania Forest which is now only about 900,000 hectares. The Argan forests are quickly diminishing due to the demand for firewood, conversion of land for agricultural farming and over exploitation of the Argan trees for its oil. UNESCO -- an organization of the United Nations (U.N) has stepped in to regenerate the forest.

The life span of the tree is over 150 years and legend has it that the trees can live to about 500 years. The trees typically reach a height of 35 feet and its low branches making it easy for foraging goats to climb.

Intelligent animals

How do Tamri goats do it? Anyone who has had goats knows they are intelligent and deeply curious animals that constantly investigate their surroundings. Leave a goat near a fence, and chances are they will find a way out. Goats are able to quickly adapt to their surroundings, and their nimble feet allow them to balance on mountain cliff sides or climb trees in the case of the Moroccan breed. 

Here are other fascinating trivia about goats that you may or may not know.. 

• Goats are herd animals (social) and prefer to live in groups. So if you plan to have a pet, plan on keeping at least two!
• Goats happen to be one of the oldest of domesticated animals especially in Africa and Central Europe. Like sheep, goats formed the cornerstone of early human farming. 
• Goats if reintroduced in the wild, can turn feral (wild or untamed) within a generation.
• Pygmy goats make great pets and breed in the Swiss Alps and Nubia (along the Nile river). 
• Cashmere and Angora goats are known for their soft useful hair.
• The small statured American fainting goats suffer from a condition called “myotonia congenital”, which causes the muscles of the animal to lock up for about 10 seconds when they become startled or excited. It causes them to topple or fall over, and since they appear to faint -- they are nicknamed fainting goats!

What do you think of the strange way of processing Argan oil? Do you think you would like to try food flavored with Argan oil? Let us know your thoughts.