Definition:

Moon spots are somewhat round spots of color varying from a light cream to a dark brown, but never white or true black. They may be superimposed over any other color or pattern (except white). The extent of the moon spotting and the final color of the spots is variable. They are random, as opposed to the strict symmetrical appearance of the Agouti patterns. Most of them are distinctly round - inspiring the name. Most moon spots are fairly dark in newborns, and then become distinctly paler later. This is so pronounced that they could be missed on some kids, even though they might be very obvious later. 

Explanation:

Many people are confused about what is and is not a moon spot, but generally if you have to ask then it probably isn't. Suspected moon spots on the throat or face are usually markings of other coat patterns (such as the Caramel or Badgerface) and not true moon spots. White markings on parts of the face make this even more deceiving because the white will mask the true colors underneath.  Moon spots will not show up on white areas because white is actually the "lack of color".  The color of moon spots will often lighten as young kids mature, so moon spots showing up as chocolate will typically turn light brown and spots showing up as gray or silver will almost always turn tan.

Examples showing a black base coat:

Brown moon spots on black baby photo by Cindy Deer  -  adult photo by Sharon Reeves		Cream & chocolate moon spots on black photo courtesy of Phil Sponenberg
Large & small chocolate and red moon spots on a black coat. photo courtesy of Tammy Wertz	Brown moon spots on black	One light tan moon spot on black photo by Sharon Reeves
Large tan moon spot and several chocolate moon spots on black coat. Note how the color changes and more moon spots appear as the kid matures.  photos by Sharon Reeves		Multiple light tan moon spots on black coat.  photo from unknown source
Brown moon spots on black photo by Sharon Reeves	Brown moon spots on black photo by Sharon Reeves	Multiple cream moon spots on black coat.  Note that these are NOT white spots, and moon spots cannot be white in color (see above definition of moon spots). photo from unknown source

Examples showing a red base coat:

Large and small chocolate moon spots on a copper coat.  Note how the moon spots lighten from dark chocolate to a silver-like brown as the doe matured. photos by Sharon Reeves		Multiple light and dark tan moon spots on red photo courtesy of Cindy Deer
Multiple light and dark chocolate moon spots on a copper coat.  This is a more unusual form of moon spots where there are so many spots close together that they have lost the typical circular appearance. photo by Cindy Deer	Chocolate moon spots and a silver moon spot on a red coat. photo courtesy of Cindy Nazworthy	Chocolate moon spots on a light copper coat photo courtesy of Cindy Nazworthy
Silver and chocolate moon spots on a light copper coat. Yes these are all the same goat.  Note how the color changes and the spots blend into  the coat more as the kid matured.  The winter coat really hides the moon spots as well. baby photos by Sharon Reeves  -  adult photo by Grace Davidson		Chocolate moon spots on red photo courtesy of Cindy Deer
This guy has his winter coat in the adult picture and you can only faintly make out his brown moon spots. photos courtesy of Grace Davidson & Cindy Nazworthy		Multiple cream moon spots on red photo courtesy of Alanna Hailey

Examples showing a brown base coat:

Cream moon spot on brown photo by Sharon Reeves	Multiple light and dark chocolate spots on a beige coat overlaid by white. photo by Sharon Reeves	Chocolate moon spots on a  brown tri-color with the black belly pattern. photo by Sharon Reeves
Multiple chocolate moon spots on tan coats photo courtesy of Cindy Deer	Chocolate moon spots on caramel coat. (tiny one on neck and another behind shoulder) photo courtesy of Cindy Nazworthy	Chocolate moon spots on beige coat photo by Grace Davidson

Special thanks to D. Phillip Sponenberg, DVM, PhD for much of the information found on this page.
Thank you to all the breeders of these wonderful goats for lending me your photos for this page.  If your photo is used above and proper credit isn't given please let me know so I can give you credit.

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