Why are mountain goats found in the Chugach, Kenai, St. Elias, and Boundary ranges?

Mountain goats are found in the Chugach, Kenai, St. Elias, and Boundary ranges because these areas provide their preferred habitat: steep, rugged cliffs.12

These mountain goats are highly specialized, agile climbers adapted to navigating insecure, snow-covered, and icy terrain. This cliff-dwelling behavior serves as a vital survival strategy, as it provides a secure environment where predators are reluctant to follow. While they are native to these specific Alaskan mountain ranges, their presence is dictated by their need for these vertical landscapes, which they utilize for protection and foraging at the timberline.12