Adapting to their adverse environment, the antelopes have evolved compact bodies suited for jumping and climbing and thick fur to protect against the cold. Because their perspiratory system is not well developed, their survival rate when kept at warmer altitudes is low.
以角型來看，長鬃山羊沒有綿羊那般圓滿彎曲，也不像羚羊的細長銳利，而呈半彎月狀；在亞熱帶各類山羊中，毛較厚長，顏色也較深。