Ibex
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{{otheruses}}
{{Taxobox
| name = Ibex
| image = Capra ibex ibex – 03.jpg
| image_width = 200px
| image_caption = [[Nubian Ibex]]
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Chordata]]
| classis = [[Mammal]]ia
| ordo = [[Artiodactyla]]
| familia = [[Bovidae]]
| genus = ''[[Capra (genus)|Capra]]'' (in part)
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision =
''[[Alpine Ibex|Capra ibex]]''<br />
''[[Nubian Ibex|Capra nubiana]]''<br />
''[[Spanish ibex|Capra pyrenaica]]''<br />
''[[Siberian Ibex|Capra sibirica]]''<br />
''[[Walia Ibex|Capra walie]]''<br />
''[[Wild Goat|Capra aegagrus]]''
}}
An '''ibex''', commonly called by its French name: '''bouquetin''' also called '''Steinbock''' in German<ref>[http://dict.leo.org/frde?lp=frde&lang=de&searchLoc=0&cmpType=relaxed§Hdr=on&spellToler=on&search=bouquetin&relink=on : Translation]</ref>, is a type of wild mountain [[goat]] with large recurved [[Horn_%28anatomy%29|horns]] that are transversely ridged in front. Ibex are found in [[Eurasia]], [[North Africa]], and [[East Africa]]. The name ''ibex'' comes from Latin, borrowed from [[Iberian]] or [[Aquitanian language|Aquitanian]], akin to Old Spanish ''bezerro'' "bull", modern Spanish ''becerro'' "yearling". Ranging in height from 27 to 43 inches and weighing 200 to 270 pounds (90 to 120 kg), the ibex can live 20 years.
==Sexual dimorphism==
Male ibex are commonly larger and heavier than females. However, the most noticeable difference between genders is the presence of large horns. Females grow a pair of smaller, thinner horns that develop considerably more slowly than the males'. The ibex's horns begin to grow at sexual maturity and continue to do so throughout the rest of the animal's life.
==Ibex species==
The six [[species]] of ibex are grouped below
* The [[Alpine Ibex]] (''Capra ibex'') is found in the [[Europe]]an [[Alps]]. Alpine ibex are found in Bulgaria, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, and Slovenia, and have been introduced to ranches in the United States, Canada, and Argentina.
* The [[Nubian Ibex]] (''Capra nubiana'') occurs in the [[Middle East]]. Occurs in the Red Sea hills of Sudan as well as the highlands in Egypt. Nubian ibex are heavily preyed upon by Wazzi shepherds.
* The [[Walia Ibex|Walia or Ethiopian Ibex]] (''Capra walie'') is found in the [[Semien Mountains]] of the [[Ethiopian Highlands]], where it is critically endangered. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of Alpine Ibex. The Ibex is also a national emblem of the great ancient Axum empire.
* The [[Spanish ibex|Spanish or Iberian Ibex]] (''Capra pyrenaica'') is now restricted to the [[Pyrenees]] and other mountainous enclaves in [[Spain]]. There are approximately 50,000 Spanish ibex on the [[Iberian Peninsula]]. The Spanish [[wild goat]] is separated into four geographical races:
:*South Eastern
:*Beceite
:*Ronda
:*Gredos
* The [[Asiatic Ibex|Asiatic or Siberian Ibex]] (''Capra sibirica'') is found in central [[Asia]] and southern [[Siberia]]. Asian ibex are separated into four geographical races.
:*Mid-Asian
:*Altay
:*Gobi
:*Himalayan
* The [[Wild Goat]] (''Capra aegagrus'') is found in the [[Middle East]]. The Wild Goats are separated into four geographical races:
:*Persian Desert Ibex
:*Sindh Ibex
:*Bezoar Ibex
:*Kri-Kri Ibex
{{commonscat|Capra}}
==In ancient history==
Evidence of the ibex is present in the [[archaeological]] record, particularly in the [[Near East]] and [[Mediterranean]] regions.
Excavations from [[Minoan]] [[Crete]] at [[Knossos]], for example, have yielded specimens from about 1800 [[BC]], including one [[cylinder seal]] with an ibex defending himself from a [[hunting dog]].<ref>[http://letmespeaktothedriver.com/site/10854/knossos.html#fieldnotes C. Michael Hogan, ''Knossos fieldnotes'', Modern Antiquarian (2007)]</ref> From the similar age a gold [[jewelry]] ibex image was found at the [[Akrotiri]] archaeological site<ref>M. Uda, G. Demortier, I. Nakai, ''X-rays for archaeology'', 2005, Springer, 308 pages
ISBN:1402035802</ref> on [[Santorini]] in present day [[Greece]].
An [[Iron Age]] capra ibex specimen was recovered at the [[Aq Kupruk]] archaeological site in present day [[Afghanistan]], illustrating either domestication or hunting of the ibex by these early peoples.<ref>Pam J. Crabtree, Douglas V. Campana, Kathleen Ryan, ''Early Animal Domestication and Its Cultural Context'', 1989, University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology ISBN:0924171960</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Goats]]
[[Category:Mammals of Asia]]
[[Category:Mammals of Africa]]
{{even-toed-ungulate-stub}}
[[bg:Алпийски козирог]]
[[de:Steinbock]]
[[eo:Ibekso]]
[[fr:Bouquetin]]
[[he:יעל]]
[[mk:Козорог]]
[[nl:Steenbok (dier)]]
[[pt:Ibex dos Alpes]]
[[sl:Alpski kozorog]]
[[sv:Stenbock (däggdjur)]]