Breed: Etna Silver
Synonyms: Argentata dell'Etna
Species: Goat
Colour: silver-grey
Weight: Male: 50 kg Female: 38 kg
Height: Male: 75 cm Female: 67 cm
Country: Italy, Sicily
History: The Argentata dell'Etna is an indigenous breed of domestic goat from the area of Mount Etna in the province of Catania and the Monti Peloritani in the province of Messina, in the Mediterranean island of Sicily, in southern Italy. It is raised mainly in that area, but also in the provinces of Enna and Palermo. It is named for the volcano and for its silvery grey coat. The origins of the breed are unknown; it shows similarities to the Garganica breed, and to other Italian grey breeds such as the Ciociara Grigia of Lazio and the Cilentana Grigia of Campania.
The Argentata dell'Etna is one of the forty-three autochthonous Italian goat breeds of limited distribution for which a herdbook is kept by the Associazione Nazionale della Pastorizia, the Italian national association of sheep- and goat-breeders. The herdbook was established in 2002. At the end of 2013 the registered population was variously reported as 1885 and as 2304; the total population is not more than 7000.
Uses: milk, also meat