# Iberian Ibex (*Capra pyrenaica*) The Iberian Ibex is a special goat that lives in the mountains of Spain. It has strong legs for climbing and beautiful curved horns. These goats are great at jumping between rocky cliffs! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Mountain regions - **Also known as:** Spanish Ibex ![Iberian Ibex](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Spanish_ibex.jpg&width=800) Photo: José M. Gómez, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Spanish_ibex.jpg) ## Appearance The Iberian Ibex has a stocky build with sturdy legs. Males have impressive, thick, ridged horns that curve backwards, while females have smaller, straighter horns. Their coat is reddish-brown, often with dark, almost black, markings on the legs and face, especially in mature males. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Artiodactyla - **Family:** Bovidae - **Genus:** Capra ## Interesting facts - Ibex horns show rings, like tree rings, that reveal their age! Wow! - Male ibex can weigh as much as an adult human! Wow! - Their winter fur grows extra thick to keep them cozy! Wow! - They once almost vanished but made an amazing comeback! Wow! ## Special abilities - **Mountain Master:** Iberian Ibex has rough, flexible hooves and powerful legs that help them grip tiny ledges on steep cliffs. - **Agile Jumper:** Iberian Ibex can jump across wide gaps because of their powerful leg muscles, navigating treacherous terrain. - **Keen Eyesight:** Iberian Ibex has excellent vision that helps them spot predators from far away in open mountain areas. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 100-140 cm - **Weight:** 30-100 kg - **Lifespan:** 12-15 years - **Speed:** 60 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-2 - **Gestation:** 150-168 days ## Diet & Feeding These mountain goats are herbivores that munch on a variety of tough plants found in their habitat. - **Primary Foods:** Grasses, Herbs, Lichens, Mosses, Leaves, Shoots - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Golden Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/golden-eagle) (*Aquila chrysaetos*) — Preys on young Iberian Ibex from above. - **Eats:** [Scots Pine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/scots-pine) (*Pinus sylvestris*) — Browses needles and shoots from these trees. ## Traits - [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. - [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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Threatened](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/threatened): Threatened status denotes a species likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future without effective conservation interventions. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always watch from a distance and don't try to touch wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Iberian 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 Iberian Ibex? 100-140 cm ### How much does Iberian Ibex weigh? 30-100 kg ### How long does Iberian Ibex live? 12-15 years ### How fast can Iberian Ibex move? 60 km/h ### What does Iberian Ibex eat? These mountain goats are herbivores that munch on a variety of tough plants found in their habitat. ### Where is Iberian Ibex usually found? Mountain regions ### How does Iberian Ibex hunt? Grazing ## Where to spot - [Garganta de los Infiernos Nature Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/garganta-de-los-infiernos-nature-reserve) — Extremadura, ES · Park - [Source of the Pitarque River Natural Monument](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/source-of-the-pitarque-river-natural-monument) — Aragón, ES · Park - [Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas Natural Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cazorla-segura-las-villas-natural-park) — Andalucía, ES · Park - [Els Ports Natural Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/els-ports-natural-park) — Terres de l’Ebre, Cataluña, ES · Park - [Maro-Cerro Gordo Cliffs Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/maro-cerro-gordo-cliffs-natural-area) — Andalucía, ES · Park - [Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sierra-de-grazalema-natural-park) — Andalucía, ES · Park [View all places to see Iberian Ibex](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/iberian-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: [Iberian Ibex: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/iberian-ibex)