What Is a Group of Ibex Called?

Herd is the only widely documented term for ibex, the standard word applied broadly to hoofed, grazing mammals.

Where Did the Name Come From?

Herd is one of the oldest, most general English collective nouns, with no ibex-specific documented history. It’s simply the default word for a group of large hoofed mammals, and ibex herds fit the description well.

Ibex Facts

• Habitat: Steep, rocky mountain terrain across the Alps, Pyrenees, Middle East, and parts of Africa and Asia, depending on species.
• Social behavior: Herds are typically segregated by sex outside of the autumn rut, with females and young forming one group and males forming bachelor herds.
• Diet: Grasses, herbs, and shrubs, grazing on the sparse vegetation available at high altitude.
• Lifespan: 10-16 years in the wild.
• Distinctive: Ibex are extraordinary climbers, able to scale near-vertical rock faces and dam walls to lick mineral deposits, a skill that has made viral videos of ibex “walking up walls” a recurring internet phenomenon.

Example Sentences

• A herd of ibex picked their way across the sheer cliff face with ease.
• Hikers spotted a herd of male ibex grazing high above the treeline.

Other Names for a Group of Ibex

Herd is the only widely recorded collective noun for ibex.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a group of ibex called?

A group of ibex is called a herd, the standard, general term.

Where do ibex live?

Steep, rocky mountain terrain across the Alps, Pyrenees, Middle East, and parts of Africa and Asia, depending on species.

Do male and female ibex herd together?

Mostly separately outside of the autumn rut, with males forming bachelor herds the rest of the year.

Why are ibex famous online?

Videos of ibex climbing near-vertical dam walls to lick mineral deposits have gone viral repeatedly.

How long do ibex live?

Typically 10-16 years in the wild.