Alpine Ibex

Capra ibex

The Alpine Ibex is a strong mountain goat with long, curved horns. It loves to climb steep cliffs and jump from rock to rock with ease.

Habitat: Mountain regions

Appearance

The Alpine Ibex is a robust wild goat with distinct, ridged, scimitar-shaped horns, particularly long and impressive on males. Its coat is typically brownish-grey, often appearing reddish in summer and darker in winter. They also feature a prominent, dark beard.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderArtiodactylaFamilyBovidaeGenusCapra

Alpine Ibex

Interesting facts

Baby ibex can walk and climb incredibly well within just a few hours of being born!

Ibex can stand on incredibly small rock ledges, sometimes only a few inches wide!

Male ibex horns can weigh more than their entire head, up to 15 kilograms!

Their powerful legs allow them to jump over 2 meters high from a standing start!

Special abilities

Alpine Ibex can scale steep, rocky cliffs with incredible ease because of specialized hooves that provide exceptional grip.

Alpine Ibex uses its massive, curved horns for defense against predators and for powerful sparring with rivals.

Alpine Ibex can dig through deep snow with its hooves to find hidden vegetation, helping them survive harsh winters.

Measurements & details

Length: 105-159 cm
Weight: 17-120 kg
Lifespan: 10-14 years
Speed: 45 km/h
Litter Size: 1-2
Gestation: 165-170 days

Diet & Feeding

These agile climbers munch on various plants, from grasses to small shrubs, found high in the mountains.

Primary Foods

Grasses
Lichens
Mosses
Herbs
Shrubs
Alpine flowers

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

Eaten by

Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetos

Predates on young ibex kids, snatching them from ledges.

Eaten by

Grey Wolf

Canis lupus

Hunts adult ibex, often targeting weaker individuals in packs.

Eaten by

Eurasian Lynx

Lynx lynx

An opportunistic predator of ibex, especially during harsh winters.

Traits

Wildlife

Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.

Furry

Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.

Social

Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.

Horned

Characterized by having one or more hard, permanent, pointed projections on the head.

Herbivorous

This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.

Thermoregulating

Thermoregulating organisms maintain a stable internal body temperature despite fluctuations in the external environment.

Mountain

This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones.

Ancient Lineage

This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.

Also known as

Steinbock

Collections

Mammals

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Admire these amazing creatures from a safe distance and never try to approach or feed them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Alpine Ibex?

Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How long is Alpine Ibex?

105-159 cm

How much does Alpine Ibex weigh?

17-120 kg

How long does Alpine Ibex live?

10-14 years

How fast can Alpine Ibex move?

45 km/h

What does Alpine Ibex eat?

These agile climbers munch on various plants, from grasses to small shrubs, found high in the mountains.

Where is Alpine Ibex usually found?

Mountain regions