Pyrenean chamois facts for kids
The Pyrenean chamois (scientific name: Rupicapra pyrenaica) is a type of goat-antelope that lives in the high mountains of Europe. You can find them in the Pyrenees mountains, which are between Spain and France, and also in the Cantabrian Mountains in Spain. They even live in the Apennine Mountains in central Italy.
This animal is one of two species in the Rupicapra family. The other one is simply called the chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra).
Quick facts for kids Pyrenean chamois |
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Contents
What They Are Called
These animals have different names depending on the language spoken in the areas where they live:
- In Spanish, they are called rebeco or gamuza.
- In French, they are known as izard or isard.
- In Galician, it's rebezo.
- In Asturian, they are called robecu or robezu.
- In Catalan, it's isard.
- In Italian, they are camoscio dei Pirenei or camoscio appenninico.
- In Basque, it's pirinioetako sarrioa.
- In Aragonese, they are called sarrio or chizardo.
Different Kinds of Pyrenean Chamois
Just like people can have different groups or families, animals can have different "subspecies." These are groups within a species that have slightly different features or live in different places. The Pyrenean chamois has three main subspecies:
| Image | Subspecies Name | Where They Live |
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R. p. pyrenaica (Pyrenean chamois) | France and Spain |
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R. p. parva (Cantabrian chamois) | Spain |
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R. p. ornata (Abruzzo chamois) | Central and southern Italy |
Appearance and Habits
The Pyrenean chamois can grow up to 80 centimeters (about 31 inches) tall. Their fur changes color with the seasons. In summer, their coat is a reddish-brown. When winter comes, it turns black or dark brown, and they have darker patches around their eyes.
Both male and female chamois have horns. These horns curve backward and can be up to 20 centimeters (about 8 inches) long.
They are plant-eaters, meaning they are herbivores. They munch on grass, lichens (a type of moss-like plant), and the buds of trees. These animals are very sure-footed and agile, which means they are great at climbing and moving quickly in rocky areas. You can find them living at many different heights, from lower areas all the way up to 3,000 meters (about 9,800 feet) high in the mountains.
How They Are Protected
Like other types of chamois, the Pyrenean chamois was once hunted a lot, especially in the 1940s. People hunted them to make chamois leather, which was used for cleaning and other things. This hunting almost caused them to disappear completely.
However, thanks to conservation efforts, their numbers have grown back. In 2022, it was estimated that there were about 50,000 adult Pyrenean chamois living in the wild. This shows how important it is to protect animals and their habitats.
See also
- In Spanish: Rebeco pirenaico para niños
