Alpine Ibex

Alpine Ibex

Steinbock, Bouquetin, Ibex

Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Family
Subfamily
Genus
SPECIES
Capra ibex
Population size
53,000
Life Span
10-21 years
Weight
17-117
37.4-257.4
kglbs
kg lbs 
Height
73-101
28.7-39.8
cminch
cm inch 
Length
121-171
47.6-67.3
cminch
cm inch 

The Alpine ibex (Capra ibex) is a species of wild goat that lives in the mountains of the European Alps. After being extirpated from most areas by the 19th century, the Alpine ibex was successfully reintroduced to parts of its historical range. This animal is the emblem of both the Gran Paradiso National Park and the contiguous Vanoise National Park across the French border.

Appearance

The Alpine ibex has big horns, curved backward. The horns of females are a little shorter, subtler, and more curved, serving as a means of self-defense against predators. Usually, males are bigger in size and heavier than females. Another distinctive feature of the male Alpine ibex is the beard on its chin. The coat of these animals is short and smooth, having different colors, depending on the season: in winter they are covered with a reddish-brown coat while in summer their coats become brownish-grey.

Video

Distribution

Geography

Alpine ibex are now found in most or all of the Italian and French alpine ranges, southern Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. Their preferred habitat is the rocky region along the snow line above alpine forests, where they occupy steep, rough terrain. Alpine ibex are typically absent from woodland areas, although adult males in densely populated areas may stay in larch and mixed larch-spruce woodland if no snow has fallen. Males spend the winter in coniferous forests. For most of the year, males and females occupy different habitats. Females rely on steep terrain more so than males. Males use lowland meadows during the spring, which is when the snow melts and green grass appears. They then climb to alpine meadows during the summer. When winter arrives, both sexes move to steep, rocky slopes that amass little snow. They also use small caves and overhangs for shelter.

Alpine Ibex habitat map

Climate zones

Alpine Ibex habitat map
Alpine Ibex
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Habits and Lifestyle

Ibex are highly sociable and communicative animals. Females live within a hierarchy system that implies 1 dominant male and 10 to 20 females in each herd. Males live in herds as well, having their own hierarchy system. As a general rule, male herds are notably smaller: from 6 to 8 males in each herd. In autumn they go rutting. At this period of their lives, males live in isolation and can be very aggressive. For ibex, periods of increased activity are sunrise and sunset while in the daytime they usually prefer staying in shadow. In winter, they stay at medium altitudes on sheer cliffs, facing southwards. With the coming of spring and summer approaching, ibex, together with the line of melted snow, climb up to the highest areas of their habitat. They stay there until autumn.

Seasonal behavior

Diet and Nutrition

Alpine ibex are herbivores (graminivores, folivores). They feed mainly on grasses, flowers, bushes, springs, and other plants. In the summer season, demand for water increases, and ibex start looking for areas with a constant source of water.

Mating Habits

MATING BEHAVIOR
REPRODUCTION SEASON
starts in late autumn
PREGNANCY DURATION
6 months
BABY CARRYING
1 kid
INDEPENDENT AGE
4-6 months
FEMALE NAME
doe, nanny
MALE NAME
buck, billy
BABY NAME
kid, billy

Alpine ibex are polygynous, i.e. one male can mate with a number of females. The animals start breeding in late autumn. Males participate in battles to decide who will mate with the group of females: the winner is allowed to breed with 10 to 20 females. The gestation period lasts about 6 months, after which a female gives birth to a single kid, usually in May. The young are very active and as soon as they get out of their mother’s womb, they start jumping around. The kids join groups of other youngsters during the first month of their lives. After another 4-6 months they are weaned. Alpine ibex reach reproductive maturity at the age of 8 months - 1 year but start breeding only at the age of 2 or 3 years.

Population

Population threats

In spite of currently not being threatened with extinction, in the past, the Alpine ibex attracted hunters for its majestic horns. Also, there was a common belief, that specific parts of its body might serve pharmaceutical purposes. Because of these reasons, people used to hunt them down to get a profit. Living in their habitat, Alpine ibex are in their element: the jagged cliffs and harsh weather conditions. Nevertheless, because of disease susceptibility and parasites as well as their babies facing the risk of being stolen and eaten by lynx or golden eagles, Alpine ibex start looking for larger grasslands, from snow lines to Alpine forests. Thus, they come too close to human settlements, sometimes being interbred with domestic goats. Another considerable threat for Alpine ibex is human intervention in the form of mountaineering or hiking.

Population number

According to IUCN Red List, the total population size of the Alpine ibex is 53,000 individuals. The estimated numbers of the species in the different countries of its native range include 9,450 individuals in France; 16,400 individuals in Italy; 18,000 individuals in Switzerland; 7,400 individuals in Austria; 500 individuals in Germany; and 300 individuals in Slovenia. Currently, the Alpine ibex is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List, and its numbers today are stable.

Ecological niche

Being herbivores, Alpine ibex have a noticeable impact on the plant community, controlling its range. On the other hand, being a prey species, ibex control the population of predators in the habitat.

Fun Facts for Kids

  • A species of birds, called Grackles, help ibex get rid of parasites, grooming their coats.
  • In the 18th century there was a common belief in Europe that the Alpine ibex was a magical animal. The modern equivalent of this ‘magical animal’ is Capricorn, a mark of the zodiac.
  • Ibex are able to jump from one jagged cliff to another without any difficulty, passing through the most impassable and trackless places. They are very dexterous, being able to make 1.8 meters (6 feet) jump up without a running start.
  • The ibex has sharp-edged hooves. A hoof is concaved underside and serves as reliable support, helping the animal to keep balance while jumping from one steep cliff to another.
  • Ibex do the impossible, climbing up the Cingino Dam (Piedmont, Italy) in order to lick salt and moss left on the stones by water.
  • On sunny days, Alpine ibex can often be seen napping on the rocks.

Coloring Pages

References

1. Alpine Ibex Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpine_ibex
2. Alpine Ibex on The IUCN Red List - http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/42397/0

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