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Chamois

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iChamois

Image:Rupicapra rupicapra 0.jpg

Conservation status

Image:Status iucn2.3 LC.svg
Least concern (LR/lc)

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Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Artiodactyla
Family:	Bovidae
Genus:	Rupicapra
Species:	R. rupicapra

Binomial name

Rupicapra rupicapra
(Linnaeus, 1758)

See also article on Chamois leather. For the Italian commune, see Chamois, Italy.

The chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) is a goat-like animal that lives in the European Alps, central Italian Appennine regions Corno Grande, as well as the high mountains of Slovakia (Rupicapra rupicapra tatrica - High Tatras, West Tatras and Belianske Tatras), Romania, Bulgaria, northern Greece and the Republic of Macedonia. Chamois were successfully introduced to the South Island of New Zealand in 1907, where they have caused damage to mountain ecosystems. It is one of only two species of the genus Rupicapra, the other being the Pyrenean Chamois, Rupicapra pyrenaica. It is in the Caprinae subfamily of bovids, along with sheep and goats.

As a mountain dweller, the chamois is excellently adapted to living in rugged, rocky terrain. Its climbing abilities are only surpassed by the Alpine Ibex. A fully grown chamois reaches a height of about 75 cm (2.5 feet) and weighs about 50 kg (110 lb). Both males and females have short horns which are slightly curled backwards. In summer, the chamois' fur has a rich brown colour which turns to a light grey in winter. Distinct characteristics are a white face with pronounced black stripes below the eyes, a white backside and a black dorsal strip. Chamois can reach an age of up to 20 years.

Female chamois and their kids live in herds; grown-up males tend to live solitary for most of the year. During rut season (late November/early December in Europe, May in New Zealand), males seek out female herds and engage in fierce fights with each other. After a gestation period of 20 weeks, a single kid is born. The kid is fully grown at an age of three years. It is rumored that in farming areas, male chamois will occasionally mate with goats and produce sterile hybrids, but no such event has ever been scientifically recorded.

Due to their tasty meat, chamois are popular game animals; the tuft of hair from the back of the neck is traditionally used as a "gamsbart" (literally chamois beard), a decoration commonly worn on hats throughout the alpine countries.

The German name for the Chamois is Gämse (or Gämsbock for the male animal); in English usage, the term gemsbok is often misapplied to a species of sub-Saharan antelope of the genus Oryx.

The word chamois was borrowed from French. It comes from Latin camox, a borrowing from Gaulish.

[edit] Chamois in New Zealand

Chamois arrived in New Zealand in 1907 as a gift from the Austrian Emperor, Franz Joseph. The first surviving releases were made in the Aoraki/Mount Cook region and these animals gradually spread over much of the South Island. They are often referred to colloquially as "Chamy" (pronounced "shamy")

In New Zealand, hunting Chamois is unrestricted and even encouraged by the New Zealand government's Department of Conservation, to limit the impact they have on New Zealand's native alpine flora.

The body weight of New Zealand Chamois populations is about 20% less than that of European Chamois, suggesting that food supplies may be restricted. However, both the male and females can have trophy length horns that match the best in the world.

New Zealand hunters prize the Chamois as game. Hunting Chamois requires good physical fitness, navigation as well as the ability safely negotiate the rugged alpine environment. Because of the unrestricted hunting of New Zealand Chamois, the animals are very wary and difficult to hunt.

Chamois have two traits that are exploited by hunters. The first is that they are most active in the morning and evening. While they are moving around, they are easier to see, so hunters endeavour to be in likely areas during these times. The second trait is that Chamois tend to look for danger from below. This means that a hunter stalking the Chamois from above is less likely to be observed and more likely to be successful.