Quick answer
Ibexs (Capra ibex) typically live around 14–16 years in the wild. Wild averages fall when predation, disease, or habitat loss rise; managed populations can live longer with stable food and veterinary care.
Key takeaway
Ibexs (Capra ibex) typically live around 14–16 years in the wild. Wild averages fall when predation, disease, or habitat loss rise; managed populations can live longer with stable food and veterinary care.
Ibex lifespan in the wild
Field and museum records place most ibexs near 14–16 years in the wild. That figure blends ages at death across regions, so treat it as a planning range. Body size (35–100 kg (77–220 lb)) and risk lifestyle both shape the average.
What shortens ibex lives
Predation, infectious disease, injury, food shortages, and habitat fragmentation cut survival. Roadkill and human conflict matter wherever ibexs share landscapes with people.
What helps ibexs live longer
Connected habitat, low chronic stress, and reliable food support longevity. For captive or domestic relatives, species-correct diet and veterinary screening matter more than generic “pet” advice.
Ibex life stages
Juveniles usually face higher mortality than prime adults. Older animals may move less, show dental wear, or lose body condition — useful signs when ageing ibexs in the field.
Diet and daily life
Ibex are grazers and browsers that feed on grasses, herbs, and shrubs, moving to lower slopes in winter and high meadows in summer. They are most active in the cool of morning and evening, resting on cliffs during the heat of the day.
Comeback story
The Alpine ibex was hunted almost to extinction in the 1800s, surviving in a single protected population in Italy. Careful reintroduction across the Alps has since restored tens of thousands, making it one of conservation's notable recoveries.
Sources
Ibex FAQs
How long do ibexs live?
Ibexs (Capra ibex) typically live around 14–16 years in the wild. Wild averages fall when predation, disease, or habitat loss rise; managed populations can live longer with stable food and veterinary care.
What is the scientific name of the ibex?
Capra ibex — used in research and conservation listings for ibexs.
What do ibexs eat?
Ibexs are described as herbivores, with seasonal and regional variation in Steep rocky mountain slopes.
Where do ibexs live?
They are associated with Steep rocky mountain slopes. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of ibexs?
Listed in our guides as Least Concern. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.