Spanish Ibex 04

Spanish ibex

Gaucin, Andalucia, April 2010

The south European hispanica sub-species of Europes only Ibex.  The other sub-species can be found in the Pyrenees.  The southern lot not only frequent mountain tops and bare rocky hillsides but also like the shelter of dense conifer (bottom photo).  Both habitats are difficult in terms of getting close to them.  It's often just luck that you stumble across them and make the most of the opportunity.  The males have huge curly horns (above).

Spanish Ibex 05

Spanish Ibex 06

back to Mammals Gallery