Animals in autumn – How they prepare for winter: the chamois

Whether it’s cold-induced torpor, hibernation or a holiday in the sunny south – every animal native to our region spends the winter in its own way. In autumn, the final preparations must be made to ensure they survive the cold season well.

Our Nature Watch guide Susi explains in a short series how each animal copes with the harsh living conditions.

Appearance
Chamois are a species of antlered hoofed game, and both the male and female have antlers that are not shed. Chamois can live for up to 20 years. Twice a year – in spring and autumn – the chamois change their coat. In winter, they are almost black.

Reproduction
Chamois live together in herds. There are herds of bucks and herds of does, which stay with their fawns. Their habitat is the mountains. The rutting season (mating period) takes place in November, during which the bucks defend their territory and their does. In May or June, a single fawn is usually born.

Diet
Chamois feed mainly on herbs, flowers, lichens and mosses.

Threats
The main threats to chamois are heavy snow in winter, disease, damp and cold weather during the fawning season, and natural predators such as the eagle, the eagle owl, the fox, the marten and the raven.

Distinguishing features
- The age of a chamois can be determined by counting the annual rings on its “horns”, which form as a result of growth between April and November.
- The typical salt lick is an important conservation measure to aid the animals’ moulting. 
- When danger threatens, the chamois emits a loud warning whistle; during the rutting season, you can hear the characteristic ‘bellowing’ (a call to the female chamois).

In winter, the chamois must manage its energy carefully, which poses a major challenge for the animals. To this end, they have developed the following ‘strategies’:

- Chamois moult in late summer to a dark winter coat, which protects against heat loss.
- The animals reduce blood flow to the outer parts of their bodies. This causes these areas to cool down, whilst only the core of the body is maintained at a high temperature. They also often allow themselves to be covered in snow.
- Due to the resulting metabolic slowdown, disturbances such as skiers, ski tourers or snowshoe walkers can be life-threatening for the wildlife.
Please note: During the cold season, you should generally take care not to disturb the animals in their natural habitat. The energy they have to expend to flee can, under certain circumstances, be fatal to them!

Would you like to experience these animals in the wild for yourselves? Guided Nature Watch walks on snowshoes or on foot offer you plenty of opportunities to do just that!