The island has it own indigenous acknowledged breed of goat named the "Skopelos". The Skopelos goat is a breed in the Southern Multicolored Group. It is a relative of the wild goat of the island of Gioura. Unicoloured goats are red or brown, multicoloured are black, red, brown and white. Some have special characteristics: they are red brownish coloration with white spots on the flank and back. This species is mainly found in Skopelos, Alonissos, and Skiathos. Because they are so large, Skopelos goats yield a good profit and a good farm income.
Goats originate in the highlands of western Iran, and were one of the earliest of animals to be domesticated. The goat is a very hardy animal able to digest almost any food. Relatively docile, it is easy to raise, and each female usually produces twins. Hence, the goat provides meat for millions of people all over the world, and it has done so for at least 10,000 years.
Amalthea was a Greek nymph, who as a nanny goat was the wet-nurse of the infant Zeus while he was being hidden from his father. One of her horns was broken off and Zeus transformed it into the cornucopia [horn of plenty].
Athena, grey-eyed goddess of wisdom, wears or carries on her shield, the protective skin (aegis) of Amalthea. Though it is her sacred animal, goats were not sacrificed to her and they were not allowed in her sanctuary, the Acropolis of Athens.
The scape -goat took upon itself the sins of the community and was sacrificed on its behalf. Even today, goat meat is considered a fit substitute for human flesh.
Nanny goats often bear twins. That fact makes the image in Western art of a single or solitary kid a particularly poignant symbol of innocence and helplessness.