Fainting goat
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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A myotonic goat, otherwise known as the fainting goat, is a domestic goat whose muscles freeze for roughly 10 seconds when the goat feels panic. Though painless, this generally results in the animal collapsing on its side. The characteristic is caused by a hereditary genetic disorder called myotonia congenita. Fainting goats are also known as Scapegoats. Shepard's would keep Scapegoats mixed into their herds. Scapegoats are narcoleptic goats that become immobile when they panic or become excited. The immobilization occurs because the goats muscles freeze for roughly 10 seconds. Scapegoats are born with a condition called myotonia congenita, which causes their leg muscles to tense up as part of the fight-or-flight response. In younger goats this causes them to fall down on their side, older goats remain standing, however they can not move. Their agricultural purpose is to protect the flock. In the event of danger or the sighting of a predator, the scapegoat is immobilized while the rest of the flock can flee. Unable to move their legs, the terrified goats can't run anywhere and just topple over. The predator then eats the scapegoat instead of the more precious and valuable other member of the flock. The term "to scapegoat someone" originates from this practice, because just as the scapegoat is killed for the safety of the rest of the flock, the one person is blamed while others avoid taking the fall.
