Ibex
Living in the mountainous regions of Europe, northern Asia and northern Africa, they can effortlessly leap up crumbling rock faces, gripping on to tiny footholds with their specially adapted hooves, and then run back down with just as much ease. This special skill is particularly useful for escaping predators, as very few creatures can follow their daring lead, but there are other benefits to living the high life too.
Alpine ibex in northern Italy have been spotted scaling the near-vertical Cingno Dam to lick the rocks at the very top. The rocks contain salt, which provide the goats with essential minerals such as calcium that are lacking from their vegetarian diet. However, to get to them they have to endure a perilous ascent, climbing more than 30 metres with only tiny cracks and ledges to cling onto.
This impressive climbing ability is mainly practiced by females and their young, as the larger body mass and cumbersome horns of the males make balancing on narrow ledges difficult.
Hooves made for climbing: Ibex hooves are well-adapted for climbing steep slopes, with two pincer-like toes on each foot. The top of each toe is made from hard keratin, the same material our fingernails are made from, making them incredibly strong, while the underside is soft and rubbery - this textured surface creates friction to provide extra grip. The hooves also spread when under load, distributing weight evenly.
The two toes of each hoof can move independently from each other, helping to compensate for uneven terrain and allowing the ibex to cling on to any protrusions in the rock.
Ibex anatomy
How are mountain goats so well adapted to climbing sheer rock?
Strong legs: Ibex can jump over 1.8 metres from a standing start, helping them leap from ledge to ledge.
Horns: Females are the best climbers, as their shorter horns do not get in their way on near vertical slopes.
Hooves: Two-toed hooves with soft undersides help them to grip onto the mountainside.
Muscular shoulders: Strong shoulder muscles help ibex pull themselves up steep inclines with ease.
Stocky body: Their short height gives them a low centre of gravity, enabling them to balance on small ledges.
Dewclaws: These extra hooves found on the backside of the legs prevent slipping down a slope.
Did you know?
Ibex can balance on ledges no wider than a tight rope.
Male ibex live in separate herds to females and their young, and only meet during the breeding season.
