Description
The Alpine Ibex (Capra ibex) is a mammal indigenous to Italy. It inhabits rocky mountain terrain above the tree line in the european alps.
Habitat
Extended Data
Taxonomy
Fun Facts
Alpine ibex are legendary climbers — they can scale near-vertical dam walls up to 60° to lick salt deposits from the concrete
Males (known as 'steinböcke') grow magnificent curved horns up to 1 meter long, used in dominance displays during rutting season
Hunted to near extinction by the 1800s, the species was saved by King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy who established a royal hunting reserve in Gran Paradiso
Gran Paradiso National Park, Italy's oldest national park, was created in 1922 specifically to protect the Alpine ibex
They can jump over 2 meters vertically and 6 meters horizontally — remarkable agility for animals that can weigh over 100 kg