The alpine ibex, a wild goat, lives at high altitudes in the Alps and other mountainous regions of central Europe.  Once almost hunted to extinction, it is now protected in reserves. A swift and nimble climber, the alpine ibex leaps with ease from crags to rocky ledges.  Both male and males alpines ibexes have large gnarled, scimitar shaped horns, though the males are longer and heavier.

Habits: The alpine ibex lives in groups of either adult males or females and their young for the most of the year.  Males and females only join. Males  and females only join during breeding season when dominant males from harems of females. Active during the day, the ibex feeds high up in the mountains and also moves to lower pastures to graze.  In summer it lives at higher altitudes than in winter, when lack of food drives it down to more plentiful areas.  When danger threatens, the alpine ibex climbs nimbly up into the rocks to hide.  It may fight predators such as wolves, lynxes, bears, jackals, and foxes with it large horns when cornered.  Its well developed senses of sight and hearing, and smell help it to avoid danger.

Breeding: Mating accurs in fall and early winter.  The rut ( a period of intense mating related activity among males) lasts about 10 days. The male alpine ibexes perform fight rituals but do not injure each other; the winners form harems of mature females for breeding.  The strongest males with the largest horns gain superiority and can build the largest harems with 12 or more females and one or two old, non productive males. After gestation period of 170 days, one or two kids (baby ibexes) are born.  The female feeds the kids until t he next fall, and the offspring can graze at one month.  The females and their young live together in groups, with young males leaving when they reach maturity.

Food & Feeding:  The alpine ibex feeds through out the day on shrubs and trees.  It often stands on it hind legs to reach leaves, twigs and tender shoots.  It also grazes on grass flowers and low growing plants in high alpine meadows.  If food is scares, the ibex moves to lower, wooded valleys at dusk to feed.

Key Facts: Sizes, Weight, breeding, lifestyle, related Species

Shoulder Height:2 21/4 ft
Length: Males 4 to 5 ft , tail 4 1/2 to 6 in, females smaller
Weight: Males, 165 - 265, females 110 - 140

Breeding:
Sexual Maturity: 1 -  2 years
Mating: Fall and early winter.
Gestation: 170 days
No of young: 1 usually 2

Lifestyle:
Habit: Lives in groups of females and young of both sexes.
Diet: Grazes on grass, flowers, and low growing plants.  Also browses on shrubs and trees.
Life span: Between 10 - 12 years

Related Species: Closely related to the Siberian ibex, Capra sibirica, and Nubian ibex, C. numbiana
Distribution:  Alps and high mountain regions in central Europe up to 10,000 feet above sea level.  The alpine ibex lives at lower altitudes in winter than in summer.
Conservation: Once almost hunted to extinction, today groups flourish in reserves. The alpine ibex is being introduced into parts of its natural range.

Features of the Alpine Ibex:
Tail: Short and flat with a bare underside. Anal scent glands at the base of tail.
Body: Typical goat body. Brownish gray coat with small amounts of black. Males have a strong odor.
Head: Long with a sloping forehead. small ears, slanting nostrils, and a typical goat like chin beard.
Horns: Large and scimitar shaped with prominent, gnarled ridges. Females have smaller horns. Males horns grow larger, stronger, and more gnarled with age.
Feet: Front feet and back toes developed into split, or artiodactly (even toed) hooves that are extremely flexible to aid climbing.

Did you know:
The male alpine ibexes horns can grow up to three feet while the larger Siberian ibexes can grow to four and a half feet.
Like other goats, the male alpine ibex has a strong body odor, nd it sprays itself with urine.
The goats evolutionary pattern is complex, with some species resembling sheep more that goats in shape and behavior.
The Most sheep like goat is the bharal, known as the blue sheep, found in Tibet and western china.
Since Roman times, the belief that parts of the alpine ibex have special healing powers has lead to the over hunting in many areas.
Old male alpine ibexes sometimes grow long hair on the back of the next.