Head to head
Chamois vs Mountain Goat
The chamois and mountain goat both belong to the same tribe of mountain-dwelling, goat-like ungulates, but they evolved on separate continents with slightly different specialisations.
| Chamois | Mountain Goat | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Rupicapra rupicapra | Oreamnos americanus |
| Native range | European mountain ranges | Northwestern North America |
| Signature ability | Leaps nearly two metres vertically | Grips near-vertical rock faces |
| Cultural note | Namesake of chamois leather | None comparable |
| Horns | Hooked, backward-curving (both sexes) | Short, curved (both sexes) |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Stable | Stable |
| Habitat | Mountains | Mountains |
Chamois vs Mountain Goat: common questions
Are the chamois and mountain goat closely related?
Yes, both species belong to the same tribe of mountain-dwelling, goat-like ungulates, despite the chamois being native to European mountain ranges and the mountain goat being native to northwestern North America.
Is either the chamois or the mountain goat a true goat?
No, neither species is a true member of the goat genus, despite both being commonly described using the word goat and sharing a similar mountain-climbing lifestyle with true goats.
How do the climbing abilities of the chamois and mountain goat differ?
The chamois is known for leaping nearly two metres vertically and sprinting down slopes at speed, while the mountain goat relies more on hooves combining a hard outer shell with a soft, rubbery pad to grip near-vertical rock faces.