Mammal
Spanish Ibex
Capra pyrenaicaAlso known as Iberian Ibex, Spanish Wild Goat, Iberian Wild Goat
Spanish ibex navigate sheer vertical limestone cliffs across the mountain ranges of the Iberian Peninsula with remarkable agility. Males sport impressive lyre-shaped horns that grow continuously throughout their lives and feature prominent ridges corresponding to age. During the autumn rut, males engage in violent head-butting clashes that echo through alpine valleys to establish breeding dominance.
HerbivoreMontaneMammal
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyGrasses, Shrub Foliage, Acorns
Predators
- Iberian Wolf
- Golden Eagle
- Red Fox
ThreatsSarcoptic mange outbreaks, habitat fragmentation, and localized poaching
HabitatsRocky cliffs, alpine meadows, scree slopes, and montane scrublands
Life span12–16 years
Classification
- OrderArtiodactyla
- FamilyBovidae
- GenusCapra
- SpeciesCapra pyrenaica
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Cornered or rutting animals can charge or strike with heavy horns; observe from a respectful distance.
- Why it is dangerous
- Males possess heavy, thick horns and strong necks capable of inflicting severe blunt force trauma if provoked or cornered.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for thick, ridged, lyre-shaped horns up to 75 cm long on stocky goats along steep mountain crags.
- What to do
- Maintain at least 50 meters distance, never block an escape route on narrow ledges, and back away slowly if an animal lowers its head.
Responsible observation
- Viewing Distance: Use binoculars or a long lens to observe herds on cliffs without startling them.
- Autumn Rut Caution: Give males extra space during October and November when rutting aggression peaks.
- Trail Etiquette: Stay on established alpine paths to prevent soil erosion on fragile cliff slopes.
Co-habitant (c) Rufus46, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Paul Morris, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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Alpine Heights
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