
Whether you’re creeped out by or love goats’ rectangular pupils, you probably didn’t know this about them.
An illustrator and self-proclaimed goat lover, @s1120411 posts on his Twitter anything and everything yagi. From little comic strips of his original characters Little Goat and Wolf Boy (Yagi-chan and Ookami-kun), to adorable photos of goats, goats, and more goats. Like we said, EVERYTHING goat.
One drawing in particular that he recently posted, illustrating a little-known fact about goats’ eyes and their (in)famous rectangular-shaped pupils, caught the attention of many.
ヤギの目はいつでも「横向き」ではないのです。草を食べたり頭突きをするとき下を向くと「縦向き」になります!つまり「地面に対して常に横向き」なのです。 pic.twitter.com/gX8uqn1E9u
— Yagi the Goat (@s1120411) February 3, 2016
“Goats’ eyes aren’t always horizontal,” @s1120411 explains. “When they’re eating grass, butting heads, or generally just facing downwards, their eyes become vertical! In other words, their pupils are always horizontally parallel to the ground.”
It’s a simple little factoid, but one that not many people know unless they work closely with goats, which spurred amazed netizens to retweet the post over 12,000 times and curious commentors to wonder more about those mysterious oculars.
“I wonder if they were to roll forward, would their eye roll completely around too and twist their optical nerve? lol”
“I wonder what would happen if a goat went into space.”
“It seems their eyes do this to give them a broad view while grazing to help them keep a look out for predators.”
“Really? I wonder if cows are the same… Learned something new!”
(to above) “Cows, horses, and sheep too! It helps them from being attacked by carnivores.”
“Wow!! I always found their eyes kind of scary, but that’s amazing!”
If you, like the commenter above, found goats’ eyes to look a bit unsettling before, hopefully now you can understand and appreciate those rectangular pupils a little better now. As for the rest of us, we are now all the more wise about our four-legged friends!
Source: Twitter/ @s1210411
Top image: Backyard Herds via Reddit, Twitter/ @s1210411 (edited by RocketNews24)

We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
Turn your old PlayStation console into a light-up clock 【How-to】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
Turn your old PlayStation console into a light-up clock 【How-to】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Japanese thug wear from Birth Japan perfect for those breaking bad next year
Manga artist raises question online about false perspective in Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro
Second-hand video game fukubukuro lucky bags reveal nostalgic surprises
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
Tokyo Bon Japanglish song is a crazy way to learn Japanese 【Video】
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Sumo Sanrio! Hello Kitty and pals team up with Japan Sumo Association for new merch【Pics】
More Than a Capsule Stay: Why Solo Travelers Choose “global cabin Yokohama Chinatown”
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Japanese thug wear from Birth Japan perfect for those breaking bad next year
Manga artist raises question online about false perspective in Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro
Second-hand video game fukubukuro lucky bags reveal nostalgic surprises
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
Tokyo Bon Japanglish song is a crazy way to learn Japanese 【Video】
Nope, these are NOT Gundam Char Aznable sunglasses! No siree…not at all…
We try European Cup Noodle Soba flavors to see which ones come out on top 【Taste test】
Mt Fuji and Raijin and Fujin lingerie sets let you wear your love for Japan under your clothes
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Snake
Which Japanese convenience store has the best premium pork buns?
Japanese restaurant chain installs tip boxes in response to foreign tourists leaving tips, sparks debate
Leave a Reply