Mammal Guide -- Habitat -- Alpine

Males have much larger horns than females, up to fifty-five inches (140 cm) and fifteen inches (38 cm) respectively.

Females and young form herds of ten to twenty; males form separate herds, but sighting of solitary males is common.

At mating time, males aggressively rear on hindlegs and smash horns to fight for females.

Ibex have been hunted as trophies and for meat and medicinal purposes.

They now face habitat loss to agriculture and resource competition with domestic goats.

Animal Facts

Name: Ibex (Capra ibex)

Family: Bovidae (Cattle and Relatives)

Range: Central Europe; southwest Asia; northeastern Sudan and northern Ethiopia

Habitat: Alpine rocky cliffs, meadows, and arid highlands at tree line to 22,000 feet (6,700 m)

Diet: Grasses, leaves and plants

Head and Body Length: 3.9 to 5.8 feet (1.2 to 1.7 m)

Tail Length: 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 cm)

Shoulder Height: 25.6 to 41.3 inches (65 to 105 cm)

Weight: 77 to 330 pounds (35 to 150 kg)

Life Cycle: Mating December to January; gestation 150 to 180 days, one to three young born

Description: Male has brown coat with white patches on back and rump; female has tan coat; wooly beard; thick, curved horns — up to 4.5 feet in males; heavy, stocky body; short, sturdy legs

Conservation Status: Not listed by the IUCN