Based on the provided reference, thorns do not appear to hurt goats.
Goat's Remarkable Thorn Tolerance
Goats possess a surprising ability to consume thorny vegetation without apparent discomfort. According to one observation from April 24, 2022, goats are described as being able to "eat through thorns like butter."
This observation highlights the stark contrast between a goat's experience with thorns and a human's. The person struggling to remove thorny multiflora rose manually expressed envy for the goat's seemingly painless interaction, noting their "ability to not feel the pain of those thorns."
Why Goats Can Eat Thorns
While the exact biological mechanisms aren't detailed in the reference, the account strongly suggests that goats have a high tolerance or even a lack of sensitivity to the sharp points that cause pain to other animals, including humans. This allows them to efficiently clear dense, thorny brush that would be impenetrable or painful for other creatures.
- Efficient Browsers: Goats are natural browsers, equipped to handle tough plant matter.
- Apparent Pain Immunity: The reference explicitly states they "do not feel the pain of those thorns."
- Ease of Consumption: They consume thorny plants "like butter," indicating little resistance or discomfort.
This unique trait makes goats valuable animals for land management, particularly for clearing invasive species like multiflora rose which is notorious for its dense, thorny thickets.
