Nubian Ibex
Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Family
Subfamily
Genus
SPECIES
Capra nubiana
Population size
Bnelow 5,000
Life Span
10-17 years
Weight
50
110
kglbs
kg lbs 
Height
65-75
25.6-29.5
cminch
cm inch 
Length
105-125
41.3-49.2
cminch
cm inch 

The Nubian ibex (Capra nubiana) is a rare desert-dwelling goat species found in mountainous areas of Africa, and the Middle East. It was historically considered to be a subspecies of the Alpine ibex (C. ibex ), but is now considered a distinct species.

Di

Diurnal

He

Herbivore

Gr

Graminivore

Fo

Folivore

Te

Terrestrial

Cu

Cursorial

Pr

Precocial

Gr

Grazing

Br

Browsing

Te

Territorial

Vi

Viviparous

Po

Polygyny

So

Social

He

Herding

Do

Dominance hierarchy

No

Not a migrant

N

starts with

Appearance

Nubian ibexes are a light tan color, with a white underbelly; males also have a dark brown mane down their backs. Their legs have a black-and-white pattern. They have a lighter rump with a dark brown tail. Males begin growing a beard at age 2 or 3, which continues to grow longer and darker as they age. During the autumn breeding season, mature males grow a "rutting fur" on their breasts and sides which is very dark brown. It appears in October in 3-4-year-old males, but it may appear as early as July or August in older males aged 6 and up. However, not all males develop rutting fur, even at a mature age. Nubian ibexes have long, thin horns that extend up and then backward and down. In males, these reach around 1 m (39 in) in length, while in females they are much smaller, reaching around 30 cm (12 in). Male horns are thicker than female horns and grow large bulges which prevent the horns from sliding while the males are locked in combat. Male horn growth plateaus around age 7-8, whereas female horn growth plateaus around age 4-6. There is a significant relationship between the individual's age and the number of horn ridges.

Video

Distribution

Geography

Nubian ibexes are found in northern and northeast Africa and the Middle East. Their range is within Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Israel, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Yemen. These animals live in rough, dry, mountainous terrain with slopes and hills and can also be found in the canyons, plateaus, and wadis.

Nubian Ibex habitat map

Climate zones

Nubian Ibex habitat map
Nubian Ibex
Public Domain Dedication (CC0)

Habits and Lifestyle

Nubian ibexes are social animals. They live in herds that usually consist of females, their young, and males up to the age of about 3 years. Adult males are solitary or form more transitory bands of up to 8 individuals. Nubian ibexes are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day and rest at night. They spend much of their time on and around cliffs, which offer safety from potential predators. They are agile climbers and have excellent vision, hearing, and sense of smell. Nubian ibexes move throughout the day and the year. During the day, they navigate between food patches as they forage. They may rest throughout the day to chew their cud, especially around midday. At night, they sleep on cliffsides in small depressions that they dig. In winter and early spring, the Middle East's rainy season, ibex often disperse to open plateaus where they can feed on new plant life. In the hot, dry summer, they congregate around shaded oases with water and greenery.

Seasonal behavior

Diet and Nutrition

Nubian ibexes are herbivores (graminivores, folivores) and eat mainly grasses and leaves. They will also feed on various herbs, shrubs, buds, and even fruits.

Mating Habits

MATING BEHAVIOR
PREGNANCY DURATION
150-165 days
BABY CARRYING
1-2 kids
FEMALE NAME
doe, nanny
MALE NAME
buck, billy
BABY NAME
kid, billy

Nubian ibexes are polygynous, meaning that males mate with multiple females. During the breeding season, males join the female-based herds for the six- to eight-week rut. Large males then do battle for mating rights with much clashing of horns. After the gestation period of 150-165 days, between May and June, females give birth to one, occasionally two young. For the first days after birth, the kids remain hidden and then join their mother. Females nurse their young daily until they are weaned at 3 months of age. Males become reproductively mature between 3 and 6 years of age while females are ready to breed when they are 2 years old.

Population

Population threats

The major threats facing Nubian ibexes include competition with livestock for water and fodder, hunting pressure, pollution, and habitat destruction.

Population number

According to the IUCN Red List, the total Nubian ibex population size is less than 5,000 mature individuals. The estimated populations of the species occur in the following areas: two main populations in Egypt: 400-1,000 individuals in the Eastern Desert population and 200-250 individuals in the South Sinai population; Israel holds 800 individuals in the Judean Desert and 400 individuals in the Negev Desert Highlands; Oman holds 600-1,1000 individuals in the Dhofar region and 100-250 individuals exist in the Huqf escarpment and Janabi Hills, in and surrounding Al Wusta Wildlife Reserve. Currently, this species is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are decreasing.

Ecological niche

When Nubian ibexes dig their small depressions in which they rest, these shallow diggings create microhabitats where a diverse range of seedlings can germinate; this way they add to the habitat's diversity.

Fun Facts for Kids

  • Nubian ibexes are very agile and hardy; they can climb on bare rock with ease which would be dangerous for other animals.
  • Nubian ibexes have strong hind legs which they use to defend themselves from predators.
  • Nubian ibex kids are born well-developed and can jump and run within a day after their birth.
  • Nubian ibexes and grackles have an interesting friendship. These birds are often seen on the backs of ibexes looking for any insects and they even often compete for “their” ibex.

References

1. Nubian Ibex on Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nubian_ibex
2. Nubian Ibex on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/3796/22143385

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