The Alpine ibex is a wild goat species native to the mountain ranges of the European Alps, recognized by its large, backward-curving ridged horns, considerably longer and heavier in males, which are used in dramatic head-to-head clashes during the breeding season. It is superbly adapted to steep, rocky mountain terrain, capable of scaling near-vertical cliff faces and rock walls with remarkable agility, including notable ascents of steep dam walls to reach mineral-rich rock surfaces. Alpine ibex graze on alpine grasses and herbs during warmer months and move to lower, less exposed elevations in winter. Hunted to near extinction by the nineteenth century, with a single surviving population in Italy, the Alpine ibex was reintroduced across much of its former range through conservation programs and is now classified as being of least concern.
Facts
Scientific Name Conservation Status Population EstimateSwitzerland alone (over 17,800 individuals in 30 colonies, 2015 to 2017), the largest single national count the source gives; the Alps-wide total is spread across France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany and Slovenia and is not stated as one consolidated figure. Body Size Band Activity Pattern Activity Pattern Classification
System (Realm) Relationship to People Living or ExtinctDerived from this species' own Conservation Status: this atlas's IUCN category list has no Extinct value, so a set conservation-status is itself evidence of living status. Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceThe Alpine ibex is a sexually dimorphic species; males are much larger and carry much larger, longer horns than females. Its coat is brownish-grey. 1 Comparison
NatureServe Rank CITES Appendix Connections
Child Taxon Of
In Biome
Source Encyclopaedia Britannica
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. Alpine Ibex (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationLead section, opening sentence naming the binomial
The Alpine ibex (Capra ibex), also known as the steinbock, is a European species of goat which lives in the Alps.
Population and distribution section, IUCN assessment sentence
As of 2020, the IUCN lists the species as being of least concern.
Population and distribution section, country-by-country count 2015 to 2017
Between 2015 and 2017, there were around 9,000 ibexes in 30 colonies in France, over 17,800 individuals and 30 colonies in Switzerland, over 16,400 ibexes in 67 colonies in Italy, around 9,000 in 27 colonies in Austria, around 500 in five colonies in Germany, and almost 280 ibexes and four colonies in Slovenia.
Lead section, third and fourth sentences
The Alpine ibex is a sexually dimorphic species; males are much larger and carry much larger, longer horns than females. Its coat is brownish-grey.
View the Source 2. EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014)
3. GBIF Species API
4. NatureServe Explorer: Capra ibex
NatureServe ExplorerGlobal rank (roundedGRank)Quote, Global rank (roundedGRank)
"roundedGRank": "G4"
5. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Capra ibex (Animal Diversity Web)
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyConservation Status: CITESQuote, Conservation Status: CITES
CITES No special status
6. Ecological Archives E095-178 (Wilman et al. 2014): EltonTraits 1.0 mammal diet data
Ecological Archives E095-178 (Wilman et al. 2014)Row: capra ibex
5209 Capra ibex Bovidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 100 Ref_1 ABC G A 0 1 1 Ref_1 ABC 85166.51 Ref_117 1
MamFuncDat.txt row Capra ibex, Activity columns
Capra ibex Bovidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 100 Ref_1 ABC G A 0 1 1
View the Source 7. Human Ageing Genomic Resources, University of Liverpool: AnAge entry for Capra ibex
Human Ageing Genomic Resources, University of LiverpoolLifespan, ageing, and relevant traitsQuote, Lifespan, ageing, and relevant traits
Maximum longevity 21 years (captivity)
Wikidata: Alpine Ibex
Wikidata Q168327, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.In Biome: Montane Grasslands and ShrublandsView the Source Catalogue of Life
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of LifeChild Taxon Of: ArtiodactylaView the Source Bovidae - Wikipedia
Child Taxon Of: Bovidae, LeadQuote, Child Taxon Of: Bovidae, Lead
Bovidae is the biological family of cloven-hoofed, ruminant mammals that includes cattle, bison, buffalo, antelopes, and goat-antelopes such as sheep and goats.
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