Helen Pilcher talks to Thomas Thwaites, who as his alter ego GoatMan spent a week in the Alps living as a goat, earning himself an Ig Nobel prize. Why did you want to live like an animal? Humans have been thinking about what it would be like to be an animal for thousands of years.

I tried to become a goat to escape the angst inherent in being a human. The project became an exploration of how close modern technology can take us to fulfilling an ancient human dream: to take on characteristics from other animals.

Goats live in groups called herds. A male goat is referred to as either a "buck"or a "billy" goat. Female goats are called "does" or "nanny" goats. Baby goats are referred to as "kids." For more information, go to Goat from Farm to Table.

1. a. or plural goat : any of various hollow-horned ruminant mammals (especially of the genus Capra) related to the sheep but of lighter build and with backwardly arching horns, a short tail, and usually straight hair. especially : one (Capra hircus) long domesticated for its milk, wool, and flesh.