aegagrus

Aegagrus is a taxonomic term for the wild goat commonly known as the bezoar ibex. Historically placed in the genus Aegagrus as Aegagrus aegagrus, it is now usually classified as Capra aegagrus, with Aegagrus regarded as deprecated. It is the wild progenitor of the domestic goat (Capra hircus).

Range and habitat: The wild goat occurs in the Zagros and other mountains of western Iran, eastern Turkey, and the Caucasus, including Armenia and Azerbaijan, with fragmented populations in neighboring regions. It inhabits steep, rocky terrain and cliffs at elevations roughly 600 to 3,000 meters.

Description: The bezoar ibex is a medium-sized caprid. Males are larger and have long, backward-curving horns; females have shorter horns. Coats are gray-brown with lighter underparts, and a beard is common. Body mass varies, typically 40 to 110 kilograms by sex and region.

Behavior and ecology: Bezoar ibex are herbivores, feeding on grasses, shrubs, and tree foliage. They form social groups, breeding season in winter, and females typically give birth to one or two kids after about five months of gestation. They prefer steep terrain and use cliff faces for refuge from predators.

Conservation: Capra aegagrus is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, with threats including habitat loss, fragmentation, and hunting. Protected areas, anti-poaching measures, and habitat restoration are key management strategies; domestic goats are descended from this species.