The Alpine ibex (or Capra Ibex) is a large species of mountain goat native to the Alpine regions of Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia. Its thick coat is a uniform brown on the body, with a pale underside and a darker coloration on legs and tail. Alpine ibexes have large ridged horns that curve backwards towards the body. Males are much larger and heavier than females. They have 69cm to 98cm long horns, measure 1.49m to 1.71m in length and 0.9m to 1.05m in height, and weigh 80kg to 100kg. Female ibexes have 18cm to 35cm long horns, measure 1.21m to 1.41m in length and 0.73m to 0.84m in height, and weigh only between 17kg to 32kg.
Latin Name
Capra ibex
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alpine-ibex
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Animal Facts
Alpine ibexes appear to be under little threat from predators, with most ibexes dying of old age, diseases or starvation.
The diet of Alpine ibexes is naturally deficient of salt, which is why they will often lick leached salt off of rocky surfaces.
Alpine ibex are extremely good climbers and are often seen in precarious positions on near vertical mountainsides.
Male ibexes in smaller groups base their hierarchy on horn size, the larger an individual’s horns the higher his position in the group.
Ibex hooves have curved undersides and thin edges that act like suction cups enabling them to grip to steep surfaces.
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