A large mountain-dwelling wild goat native to the European Alps, characterized by impressive curved horns and exceptional rock-climbing abilities.
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Ecology & Habitat
Habitat
Alpine and subalpine regions between 1,600-3,300 meters elevation, inhabiting rocky terrain, steep mountain slopes, and alpine meadows in Switzerland, Italy, Austria, and France.
Ecological Role
Critical herbivore in alpine ecosystems, contributing to vegetation management, prey for predators like wolves and golden eagles, and maintaining biodiversity in mountain landscapes.
Morphology
SKIN COATDense, thick winter coat for extreme cold, varying from dark brown to grey, with males having more pronounced coloration
LIMBS WINGSStrong, muscular legs with specialized hooves enabling exceptional rock climbing and traversing steep alpine slopes
HEAD SENSORYLarge curved horns in males, measuring up to 1 meter long, with keen eyesight and hearing for predator detection
BODY STRUCTURERobust, muscular body with average height of 0.9-1.2 meters, weight 50-120 kg, adapted for climbing steep mountain terrain
Data Source: TaxonHub Database
Image Credit: Giles Laurent
