The cows in Switzerland are so beautiful and well taken care of. I love how they have the freedom to roam within huge green pastures. I get the sense that the farmers here take great care of their cows! This past weekend, I had the opportunity to see an owner playing with his cows. They were following him all throughout the fields.
I have also briefly seen either an ibex or chamois during my mountain trips. However, I usually glimpse them at very high altitudes in the mountains, and they are very far away. They are both beautiful animals. I am always amazed how they are able to survive and casually walk on the mountain at really high altitudes over steep rocks.
All three of these animals can be found in the Swiss Alps region. Cows mainly live on farmlands at lower altitudes. You can easily spot them because they live on almost all farms. The chamois and ibex, on the other hand, live at really high altitudes and usually in steep, rocky terrain. While it is possible to see them, you usually can only see them on hiking trails, particularly one called the Haute Route.
All three animals have distinct ways of utilizing their environment for survival. Living in the mountains such as the Swiss Alps can create hardships for the plants and animals inhabiting the area! Some examples of adaptations include decreasing activity level during winter months, in order to save energy. The ibex has special hooves with a hard outer edge. This allows them to climb steep hills and rocks.
