Imagine you are an animal living up in the mountains near rock faces that drop hundreds of feet. Imagine living as an animal in a climate where the summers are teeming with greenery and the winters are cold, snowy and windy. What adaptations would help you survive? Chamois are a species of goat-like animals that have adapted well to the mountains of Switzerland.
Chamois look like a cross between a goat and an antelope. They have medium-length curved horns and a short tail. Their hooves allow them to climb the rocky landscape of the Alps with great agility. They also have a thick coat of fur that keeps them warm in the cold Alpine winters. You can see photos of chamois at this website provided by the Swiss National Park.
The first time I saw a chamois was from the train. It was incredible to see one, as they are typically shy animals. It was grazing on vegetation on a steep slope.
