# 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. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Mountain regions - **Also known as:** Steinbock ![Alpine Ibex](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426693/objects/5855.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Artiodactyla - **Family:** Bovidae - **Genus:** Capra ## 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 - **Cliff Clinger:** Alpine Ibex can scale steep, rocky cliffs with incredible ease because of specialized hooves that provide exceptional grip. - **Horn Shield:** Alpine Ibex uses its massive, curved horns for defense against predators and for powerful sparring with rivals. - **Snow Digger:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Horned](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/horned): Characterized by having one or more hard, permanent, pointed projections on the head. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Thermoregulating](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/thermoregulating): Thermoregulating organisms maintain a stable internal body temperature despite fluctuations in the external environment. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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 ### How does Alpine Ibex hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Tierpark Hellabrunn](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-hellabrunn) — Bavaria, DE · Zoo - [Naturschutz-Tierpark Görlitz](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/naturschutz-tierpark-g-rlitz) — Saxony, DE · Zoo - [Eifelpark Gondorf](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/eifelpark-gondorf) — Rheinland-Pfalz, DE · Zoo - [Schwarzwaldzoo Waldkirch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/schwarzwaldzoo-waldkirch) — Baden-Württemberg, DE · Zoo - [Tiergarten Nürnberg](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tiergarten-nurnberg) — Bayern, DE · Zoo - [Wildpark Bad Mergentheim](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/wildpark-bad-mergentheim) — Baden-Württemberg, DE · Zoo [View all places to see Alpine Ibex](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/alpine-ibex) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Alpine Ibex: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/alpine-ibex)