The chamois is a medium-sized ungulate belonging to the Bovidae family. It can be recognised by its characteristic curved horns, which are present both in males and females. In summer the fur is short and yellow-brown or yellow-grey, while in winter it is long, thick and dark – almost black – with light areas remaining between the legs and on the head, where dark stripes running from the nose through the eyes to the base of the horns form a “facial mask”. The chamois’s powerful athletic body allows it to move with great agility across steep, rocky terrain. Males weigh between 30 and 45 kilograms, with females weighing slightly less. Height at the withers ranges from 70 to 75 cm. The horns are dark, thin and curved backwards, where the horns of males are slightly thicker and slightly more hooked than those of females.
Chamois are ruminants and herbivores. They mainly feed on grasses, herbs, leaves, shoots and lichens. In summer they mainly feed in the morning and late afternoon, when temperatures are lower and conditions are most favourable. In winter they can be active throughout the day as they seek food. They are social animals and only old males are solitary. The largest groups are formed by females with young. Sexually mature males also group together. Males only join females during the mating season (rut), which runs from late October to December. At this time males fight for dominance and the right to mate with females. Impregnated females undergo a gestation period of around 170 days, after which a single kid is born, usually in May or June. On rare occasions, twins or even triplets may be born. Young chamois are able to follow their mothers within a few hours of birth.
In Slovenia, chamois are mainly found in the high- mountain areas of the Alps and Dinarides, where there are steep rocky cliffs, pastures and forests. They prefer areas above the treeline, where they can move freely and there are fewer predators. In winter they often migrate to lower-lying areas where there is less snow and food is easier to find. In the twentieth century, in addition to the Alps and Prealps, chamois also settled in the forest belt of lower mountain and hill areas. This territorial expansion can probably be attributed to the local eradication of predators, in particular the wolf.
The principal natural predators of adult chamois are the wolf and the lynx, while the golden eagle preys mainly on young animals. After hunting, falls and avalanches are among the most common causes of death in chamois. Chamois are at risk not only from natural predators but also from diseases and parasites, which can deplete their populations.
Chamois play an important role in their ecosystems, since they affect vegetation and, thus, the availability of food for other animals. Their feeding habits help regulate plant communities and in this way prevent the overgrowth of certain species. The chamois is a widespread and adaptable species but is nevertheless not immune to the impacts of human activity. Maintaining their habitats, limiting the disturbances caused by humans (tourism),regulation of hunting and monitoring the health of populations are key factors in ensuring the long-term survival of the species. Because of its adaptability and ability to survive in extreme conditions, the chamois is a symbol of the strength and endurance of mountain- dwelling animals.
