How do mountain goats stay balanced on steep cliffs?

Mountain goats are superb climbers because their hooves have a hard outer rim and a soft, flexible inner pad that grips uneven rock. Their muscular shoulders and legs let them jump and scramble across steep, broken terrain, sometimes on slopes that look nearly vertical. They also have a low center of gravity and a strong sense of balance, which helps them move safely across cliffs and ledges. Despite the name, the North American mountain goat is not a true goat but a caprine related to goats and sheep. Their climbing skill helps them escape predators and reach mineral-rich terrain.