# Nubian ibex (*Capra nubiana*) The Nubian ibex is a strong and agile goat that lives in rocky mountains. With its long curved horns and sandy-colored coat, it is well adapted to the desert environment. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Mountain regions ![Nubian ibex](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Israel._Nubian_ibex_%2815625972648%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Greg Schechter from San Francisco, USA, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Israel._Nubian_ibex_%2815625972648%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Nubian ibex is a medium-sized wild goat with a sandy to yellowish-brown coat and a paler belly. Males have magnificent, long, ridged horns that curve backward, while females have shorter, thinner horns. Darker markings can be seen on their legs and a distinct dark stripe runs down their back. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Artiodactyla - **Family:** Bovidae - **Genus:** Capra ## Interesting facts - Even their babies, called kids, can climb tricky rocks just hours after birth! - Ibex have a special four-chamber stomach to digest tough desert plants easily. - Male ibex horns can have over 30 ridges, each possibly indicating a year of growth! - They communicate using loud snorts and alarm calls when danger is spotted. ## Special abilities - **Cliff Clingers:** Nubian ibex have hooves with soft inner pads and sharp outer rims that give them incredible grip on steep, rocky slopes. - **Water Wizards:** Nubian ibex can survive for extended periods without drinking because they get vital moisture from the plants they eat. - **Keen Spotters:** Nubian ibex possess excellent binocular vision and keen hearing to detect predators from a great distance in open terrain. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 105-125 cm - **Weight:** 26-70 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-17 years - **Speed:** 50 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-3 - **Gestation:** 150-160 days ## Diet & Feeding These hardy goats munch on a variety of plants, finding food even in dry, rocky places. - **Primary Foods:** grasses, leaves, shrubs, herbs, acacia pods - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [leopard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/leopard) (*Panthera pardus*) — A top predator in their rocky mountain habitat. - **Eaten by:** [gray wolf](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gray-wolf) (*Canis lupus*) — May hunt young or weaker ibex in some areas. - **Eats:** acacia tree (*Acacia tortilis*) — Browses its leaves and pods for food and moisture. - **Eats:** saltbush (*Atriplex halimus*) — A resilient desert shrub providing essential nutrients. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [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. - [Desert](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/desert): Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna. - [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. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always watch from a distance and do not disturb wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Nubian 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 Nubian ibex? 105-125 cm ### How much does Nubian ibex weigh? 26-70 kg ### How long does Nubian ibex live? 10-17 years ### How fast can Nubian ibex move? 50 km/h ### What does Nubian ibex eat? These hardy goats munch on a variety of plants, finding food even in dry, rocky places. ### Where is Nubian ibex usually found? Mountain regions ### How does Nubian ibex hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Frank Buck Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/frank-buck-zoo) — Texas, US · Zoo - [Zoologischer Garten Magdeburg](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoologischer-garten-magdeburg) — Sachsen-Anhalt, DE · Zoo ## 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: [Nubian ibex: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/nubian-ibex)