Ritualistic Head-Butting in Caprines
Dr. Croc. A. Dile; Canadian Institute of Caprinology.
Among caprines, the butting of heads is a highly ritualized activity -- a caprine equivalent akin to the ritualistic combat of the Vulcan "Amok Time".
Goats have a highly organized social structure -- perhaps the most complex among all domestic animals. To the casual oberserver, the goat herd will exhibit an outward appearance of harmonious pastoral existence. However, beneath this superficial veneer lies a complex warrior society with hierarchies determined through highly ritualistic displays of caprine martial combat. These ritualistic duels are intended to demonstrate superiority, but without inflicting serious physical damage to opponents. That's not to say that a combat display won't develop into an all-out knock-down drag-out war, but that the "norm" is for precise, ritualistic displays of head-butting skill.
The customary act of butting heads generally begins when 2 goats wish to compete for food or attention. In a normal goat herd situation, there is a distinct social order which dictates that the more assertive and higher ranking goats will get the most attention (and food), while the lower ranking, wussier goats hang back in the shadows, waiting for their turn at the food supply. Of course, this is idealistic behaviour, and only functions properly when the foodstuff is mundane, relatively plentiful, and the source of delivery is rather boring. However, when the foodstuff is considered highly desirable.. let's say.. Petting Zoo nibbles, chopped carrots or apples, or banana skins -- and the delivery source appears interesting -- all protocol flies out the goat-barn window. That's when ritualistic head-butting duels will inevitably set in.. that is, unless there are many point sources of food delivery (aka.. numerous humanoid dads and moms with young humanoids eager to deliver many handfuls of goat nibbles). As your story has demonstrated, when the delivery source is limited, certain goats will feel the need for a good duel to establish which of them is entitled to the lion's share of the handouts.
The signal for ritualized head-butting is subtle and rarely recognized by non-caprines. It generally begins with a meeting of glances between two rivals. Aggressive goats will move towards the food source, but seeing their arch rivals drawing near, they will become distracted and attempt to make eye contact with the culprit. As soon as eye contact is made, an observant goat-watcher will note a fleeting narrowing of the eyes as the rivals mutually acknowledge that eye contact has been made. At this point, they will stand looking at each other for a moment, then often back away slightly, turning until their bodies are aligned with heads a foot or two apart. They may stand this way for a second or two, and then open their eyes into the "bug-eyed" state and their little "eyebrow" knobs will take on a slightly furrowed appearance. This signals that phasers are locking into position in preparation for combat. From that moment on, the normal head-butting mode sets in. The goats draw back slightly while rising up onto their hind feet, then their upper bodies descend so that the combatants foreheads meet in that characteristic "tock" sound which you have mentioned. Sometimes there will be just one or two impacts, but in cases where there has been a long-standing rivalry between two goats, the impacts may continue unabated, as they quickly elevate in violence. The ferocity of a duel is signalled by the intervening moments between impacts. In minor head-butting, there will simply be a slight backing away, followed by a second or third "tock". This may sometimes be followed by the combatants holding their foreheads together, like Siamese goatlings, while literally glaring "eyeball-to-eyeball" with one another. Serious expressions of animosity are signalled when the goats break apart, then back up several steps while furiously twitching their tails..rattlesnake tail like, while maintaining the "hairy-eyeball" gaze. Some lifting of one front leg before moving forward into Impact Mode is a sure sign that the combat is becoming extremely serious.
Now, while all of the above has been taking place, the Passive goat generally seizes this opportunity to attempt to approach food by maintaining eye contact with the food source, while also avoiding eye contact with aggressive goats. This tactic occasionally works, mainly because the more aggressive goats have become so entangled in their head-butting duel, that they entirely neglect to protect the food source. This is one of those rare occasions when the adage, "The Meek shall inherit The Earth," proves to be true.
Other somewhat interesting trivia about head-butting concerns the establishment of social status in a herd. If a new goat comes onto the scene in a herd, it will immediately be challenged by the lowest goat in the group. A "challenge" takes place when the low-goat approaches the new goat, and attempts to rub its forehead on the goat's shoulder and neck. A submissive newcomer will allow the low-goat to continue with this activity, signalling that it is content to assume and even lower low-goat status. If it chooses to challenge the low-goat, the newcomer will engage in a ritualistic head-butting duel. Victory is generally achieved quickly at this level, as low-goats tend to cave quickly. If victory is achieved by the newcomer, the next-from-lowest goat will immediately approach for its turn to establish social order. If the newcomer goat is a wuss, its position will soon be established in the lower echelons of the herd. However, if it is a tough, savvy and assertive individual, it may quickly progress upwards through the ranks until it battles, head-to-head, with the top-goats. These battles tend to become extremely violent, with head-butts assuming the velocity of medieval battering rams, and with opponents knocking each other down or losing their footing to tumble to their sides in mid-smash. While lesser battles elicit little notice from other herd members, these High Duels are of great interest and attract as eager a gathering as any Fight Club.
There is much more that may be said about Caprine Head-Butting, but perhaps it would be best reserved for another keyboard session.
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