Ibex

For other uses, see Ibex (disambiguation)}}}.

An ibex, also called steinbock, is a type of wild mountain goat with large recurved horns that are transversely ridged in front. Ibex are found in Eurasia and North Africa.

Ibex species

The five species of ibex are grouped with four other species in the genus Capra.

The Alpine Ibex (Capra ibex) is the best known. The Iberian or Spanish Ibex (Capra pyrenaica) had smoother and more spreading horns.

The kri-kri, sometimes called the Cretan Ibex, is a subspecies of the Wild Goat, Capra aegagrus.

The Himalayan Ibex (Capra sibirica hemalayanus) is an endangered species and is found in Khunjerab National Park in Northern Areas of Pakistan. The National park is under the supervision of WWF, Pakistan.

The Walia Ibex (Capra walie), also known as the Ethiopian Ibex, is found in the Semien Mountains of the Ethiopian Highlands, where it is critically endangered.

Myth and Legend

Legend had it that the ibex's spine was rigid, so that the goat could not look back. If threatened from behind, it would jump off a precipice and land unharmed on its horns.

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