Rupicapra carpatica Couturier 1938

Dataset
Bovidae: Rank
SPECIES

Classification

kingdom
Animalia: phylum
Chordata: class
Mammalia: order
Artiodactyla: family
Bovidae: genus
Rupicapra: species
Rupicapra carpatica

activity

Activity patterns. Similar to Alpine Chamois. In warm season, graze early in morning and seek shade during warmest period of the day. Resume grazing in late afternoon when day temperatures are cooler.

biology_ecology

Habitat. The Carpathian Chamois occupies alpine habitats in summer and lower ectotone areas of grasslands and forests in winter. Gray Wolves (Canis lupus) and Eurasian Lynxes (Lynx lynx) are the mammalian predators. Domestic dogs also can be significant predators.

biology_ecology

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Probably similar to Alpine Chamois. Seasonal migrations occur between lower-elevation forests in winter and subalpine grasslands in the spring. Detailed studies of home ranges and social organization have not been conducted.

breeding

Breeding. The mating season of the Carpathian Chamois is probably in November-December, and births occur in May-June after gestation of 165 - 175 days.

conservation

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List (under R. rupicapra). There were about 6800 Carpathian Chamois in 2006 and about 203 were harvested annually by sport hunters. Major concerns are small, fragmented populations that could be extirpated, disturbance by shepherds and dogs, and competition with domestic livestock. In some areas, poaching is a major concern. Current monitoring protocols do not accurately estimate populations. The number of protected areas should be increased and the existing ones enlarged; habitat improvement projects should be initiated and game laws strictly enforced. Reestablishment of populations in areas where they had been extirpated should be continued and populations established in newly created protected areas.

description

Descriptive notes. Few measurements available. Head-body 115 - 125 cm, tail ¢. 3 — 4 cm, shoulder height ¢. 75 - 90 cm; weight 50 - 60 kg; horn length 23 - 30 cm (males), horn basal circumference 7 - 10 cm. The Carpathian Chamois is characterized by a larger body, longer horns and darker winter coat than other chamois taxa.

discussion

Formerly considered a subspecies of R. rupicapra. Monotypic.

distribution

Distribution. Carpathian Mts in Romania.

food_feeding

Food and Feeding. The diet of the Carpathian Chamois is similar to that of the Alpine Chamois (R. rupicapra). Carpathian Chamois consume higher percentages of graminoids during spring and browse in winter.

materials_examined

Romania.

Name

Homonyms: Rupicapra carpatica Couturier 1938
Common names: Carpathian Chamois in English; Chamois des Carpathes in French; Karpaten-Gamse in German; Rebeco in language.; Rebeco de los Carpatos in language.