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The nubian ibex (Capra ibex nubiana) is the wild goat that dots much of the Israeli countryside. It is a nimble footed, tan-colored animal which blends well with the rugged limestone hills of the Negev and Judean wilderness. Older males have large scimitar-shaped horns which make for a magnificent silhouette. It is mentioned in the Bible as one of the clean animals which the children of Israel were allowed to eat (Dt. 14:5). The nubian ibex is classified in the class Mammalia, order Artiodactyla, and family Bovidae.
The population of Ibex in the oasis of Ein Gedi is probably the largest in Israel. If you hike around in the nature reserve, you can't miss them. This winter (1999-2000) is very dry. There is not enough rain, and the Ibex herds are breaking through the Kibbutz fence in search for green food.
A mother and her 1-day old cub - spring 2000
The
Ibex and Artiodactyla
African
Mammals Databank (Go through Common Name: Nubian...)
Funk
& Wagnalls Encyclopedia
Goats
at a Glance - GeoZoo
Woman
With Ibex - picture by Erica Mundy
Encyclopedia
Britanica
The
Desert Ibex: Book Review
Ibex
Nubiana released into Al Mujib Wildlife Reserve (Jordan)
Ibex
in rest - the Negev (picture)
Ancient
rock drawings of Ibex (Pictures & Hebrew text)
Behavioral
segregation of the sexes in Nubian ibex (abstract)
A
Look at the Nubian Ibex