Chamois live in herds of up to 30 animals, grazing on mountain grasses, herbs, and lichens. In summer they live high up near the snowline, where the air is cool and few predators can follow. In winter they move down to lower forested slopes where food is easier to find under the snow.
Their hooves are remarkable pieces of natural engineering. The outer edge is hard and sharp for gripping onto rock, while the inner pad is soft and rubbery for cushioning on uneven surfaces. This means a chamois can run at speed across loose scree, leap two metres from a standing start, and trot along a ledge just centimetres wide — all without slipping.
Chamois have golden-brown summer coats and dark, thick winter coats that keep them warm at high altitude. They also have distinctive dark stripes running from each eye to the nose, like a natural face mask. The males grow curved horns that hook backwards at the tip, which they use to spar with rivals during mating season.
When a chamois spots a predator such as a leopard or eagle, it stamps its hooves and makes a loud whistling snort to warn the rest of the herd. The whole group then sprints away across the rocks at impressive speed. Thanks to good protection in Georgian national parks, chamois populations in the Caucasus are reasonably healthy.