Its sharp hooves help it climb steep cliffs and rocky slopes, where predators like wolves cannot easily follow. As they were running away from us, the chamois hid among rocks and trees to avoid being seen, which is something they also do to hide from predators. Chamois eat mostly grass and plants, which are easily found in the mountains during the summer months. My host mom told me that during winter, when higher mountain areas are covered in snow, the chamois move to lower ground to find food, similar to how cows are moved to lower pastures during the winter months here. The mountain environment provides the chamois with shelter, food and protection.
Although chamois are currently doing well in terms of numbers and are not at risk of extinction anytime soon, potential threats could still arise from predators and climate change. As I learned in my planetary health course, the lack of biodiversity—meaning the variety of all living things and their ecosystems—can affect their ability to survive and thrive. For example, they do not have that many plants that they eat, and if the plants they do eat disappear, or predators like wolves become too common, they may struggle to find food or stay safe.
