Chamois

The preferred habitat of chamois is the Alpine meadows up to the treeless rocky region (“Krummholz zone”). Goats live with their fawns and yearlings in packs; older bucks are solitary animals. During the rut in November and December, the males join the packs and engage in extensive chases and fierce fights with rivals, during which they can injure each other with their hooked horns. The fawns are so-called “runner babies” that follow their mother immediately after birth. The goat defends them against the main enemy, the golden eagle. Despite their curiosity, chamois avoid the vicinity of hikers and warn of possible dangers with hoarse whistles. They flee uphill, their hard-shelled hooves with soft soles – similar to climbing shoes – providing optimum grip on the rock.