How long do goats live?

A goat will generally live for 10 to 12 years. Male goats, or bucks, tend to have shorter life spans than female goats, or does, and wethers. This is partly caused by the stress involved with going into rut yearly. Some goats live up to 15 years.

By examining the size and condition of a goat's teeth, experts can safely estimate the age of any given goat. A goat only has eight teeth in its mouth. These are bottom teeth, and they show changes each year, for example, growth and wear. After age 5 is when a goat's teeth stop growing.