Nubian ibex

Capra nubiana

Male Nubian ibex have impressive horns. These can grow to over a metre in length. The females also have horns, but at around 30 to 35 centimetres, these are significantly shorter than those of the males.

Red List

Vulnerable

Breeding programme

The Nubian ibex is the only one of the eight species of ibex to have adapted to life in hot, desert-like regions. Unlike other desert animals, it is active during the day and depends on water. It drinks at least once a day and therefore usually stays close to a water source.

The horns of a fully-grown male Nubian ibex can grow up to 120 cm in length. In the first few years of life, they grow by 12 to 20 cm per year, whilst from the age of five onwards they continue to grow by 2 to 4 cm. The horns of the females are much thinner and, at up to 35 cm in length, also much shorter than those of the males.