Location: Spain
Habitat:Â Mountain
Diet: HerbivoreD
Characteristic: Keen sense of balance and agility for climbing and jumping
Conservation: Vulnerable
The Gredos Ibex is a species of wild mountain goat native to the Gredos Mountains in central Spain. They have a robust build with a height of about 2.3 to 3 feet at the shoulder and can weigh between 110 to 220 lbs. Both males (bucks) and females (does) possess backward-curved horns, but males generally have larger and more impressive horns, reaching lengths of over 31 inches.
These majestic ibexes inhabit steep, rocky terrains and alpine meadows at elevations ranging from 3,280 to 8,202 feet above sea level. Their range is restricted to the Gredos Mountains and nearby mountain ranges in Spain, making them a unique and regionally important species. Gredos Ibex are well-adapted to their mountainous habitat. Their hooves have a rubbery texture that provides excellent grip, allowing them to climb steep cliffs and rocky slopes with ease. They have a keen sense of balance and agility, making them skilled climbers and jumpers.
These Ibex are herbivores, and their diet consists of a variety of vegetation found in their mountain habitat. They graze on grasses, herbs, shrubs, and leaves, and their digestive systems are adapted to extract nutrients from tough and fibrous plant material.
Gredos Ibex exhibit a social structure based on gender and age. During most of the year, males and females form separate herds. However, during the mating season, which occurs in the fall, males join female herds in search of mates. The males engage in impressive displays of dominance, including clashing their horns during the rut. Female Gredos Ibex give birth to one or two kids in the spring after a gestation period of about 5 to 6 months. The kids are born with a lighter coat and are nursed by their mothers for several months until they are strong enough to forage on their own.
Gredos Ibex face threats from habitat loss, human encroachment, and illegal hunting. As a result, they are classified as "Vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Conservation efforts, such as protected areas and monitoring programs, aim to safeguard their populations and preserve their unique habitat.