Spanish ibex
Iberiensteinbock (Capra pyrenaica victoriae )
The Iberiensteinbock (Capra pyrenaica ) is a common species in the Iberian Peninsula of goats. Despite the outwardly Significant disparities he strongly genetically similar to the Alpine ibex, and should, according to recent studies even belong to the same species.
Appearance
The Iberian ibex seems smaller and more delicate than the Alpine Ibex. Its body length is 100 to 140 cm, his shoulder height 65 to 75 cm and the weight is about 40 kg ( females ) or 80 kg ( Bucks). The fur is light brown in color and resembles that of the bezoar goat. In the summer it is light brown to reddish brown. The horns of the Iberiensteinbocks is shaped differently than that of the Alpine ibex. It is up to 75 cm long when Bock. You writhe first outward and upward, inward back later and have a sharp trailing edge. The goat has only short, barely curved horns.
Area of distribution and subspecies
Originally circulation area were the Pyrenees and several mountain ranges of Spain and Portugal. Today, it is greatly shrunk by heavy hunting, which is why the entire species is potentially at risk. Four subspecies are distinguished, two of which are extinct. The Portuguese Ibex (C. p. Lusitanica ) has already been eradicated in 1890. The Pyrenean ibex (. C. p pyrenaica ) was exterminated in the 19th century on the French side of the Pyrenees; in the 1980s, there were on the Spanish side for another 30 animals in the 1990s, they continued to fall; the last living specimen, a female, died on 6 January 2000, which the subspecies was extinct. Since the population was strictly protected and guarded, the reasons of extinction are puzzling; is suspected susceptibility to infections emanating from cattle and goat herds. Attempts to bring this back to life by cloning subspecies have so far failed. From 2013, however, ordinary Iberiensteinböcke in the French Pyrenees are reintroduced.
The other two subspecies are reasonably assured: C. p. hispanica from the south east of Spain has about 8,000 copies. The Gredos Ibex (C. p victoriae. ) From Central Spain was eradicated in 1905 up to twelve animals; but these were strictly protected and allowed to proliferate again today to a population of 3500. Since this stock is still not really backed up, the subspecies is considered endangered further.
Way of life
Like other ibex and wild goats inhabited the nature rocky or mountainous terrain. In lifestyle and diet, the type does not differ much from the Alpine Ibex. Like him, he feeds on grasses, herbs and leaves. The mating season falls in the period from November to January. During this period, the animals live in mixed groups of about ten animals which consist of goats and goats. As of February, the old goats leave these groups. In April, when the pregnant females give birth to their young, the adolescent leave the groups. In the fall, then form larger mixed herds again. The gestation period is six months, ending in May with the birth of a young animal (fawn), in rare cases, twins.
Pictures
Wild Iberiensteinböcke in the Natural Park Sierra de Grazalema (Spain )
Iberian ibex at the San Diego Zoo
Bitch Iberiensteinbocks