Alpine Chamois
Rupicapra rupicapra
- Family
- Bovids (Bovidae) (Bovidae)
- Weight
- 25 – 40 kg, 35 – 50 kg
- Habitat
- Alpine mountains
Born to climb
Chamois are perfectly adapted to their Alpine habitat. They have special hooves with rubber-like soles, hard edges and spreadable toes that ensure a strong grip and secure footing on steep rocky terrain. Their large lungs allow them to effortlessly climb more than 1,000 metres in just a few minutes. During this swift ascent, their heart rate can reach up to 200 beats per minute.
Alluring scent
Adult male chamois live solitary lives, separated from the females and their young. Both sexes have scent glands behind their horns, called rut glands. During the mating season, these glands swell in the male, who deposits the secretion on branches and twigs (horning). The scent serves to attract females.
Alpine chamois warn their kids of approaching predators such as golden eagles by whistling.
Distribution
