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COMPARISONS

MALE TUR

MALE NUBIAN IBEX

Color

During summer months the coat on the Turs body will be tan, their face, beard, back and from the knees down will be dark brown. Turs can have a very light muzzle in summer, and quite a bit of yellow on the face of mature males. The coat will change from soft brown to bluish brown in the winter months and their coat is very thick. They are almost waterproof! and, of all goats, can stand the coldest weather.

In summer, they are a light tan with a dorsal dark stripe. They have a light underbelly. Often times they will have a light stripe running along each side of their face. Nubian Ibex have pronounced black and white markings on their legs. In the winter their coat turns darker and heavier but all markings remain the same.

Body

Male Turs have strong, athletic bodies that are both stockier and longer than the Nubian Ibex. Turs have greatly recessed anal areas.

Nubian Ibex have bodies that are compact but more slender that Turs. Ibex also have recessed anal areas.

Head

Turs have large massive heads with small ears and shorter beards. Turs keep their ears up at all times.

Ibex have more refined heads with larger ears and longer beards. When relaxed, the ears of a Nubian Ibex will lie down. Ibex seem to have better control of ear movement.

Horns

Turs have horns that are almost black. They are shorter with larger bases and well-defined knurls.

Ibex have horns that are light brown in color with lengths that can exceed 48 inches. Horn bases are smaller and most will have well-defined knurls.

Tails

The tail on the Tur stays pointed down and does not exhibit much movement. It is shorter than on an Ibex. It almost appears as a tuff of hair.

The tails on an Ibex are longer and the animals will move their tails up when excited and down when relaxed. They also have great lateral movement and can be observed wagging them back and forth prior to mating.

Testicles

Turs have the smallest testicles of any goat species.

The testicles on an Ibex are much larger than those of a Tur.

Odor

Turs do not have any noticeable odor.

Ibex do not have any noticeable odor

Gate

Turs have longer, stronger leaps and can run for long periods of time at a very rapid speed. They have the ability to jump higher than the Ibex.

Ibex have a great capacity to jump and climb; Ibex can run very quickly but only for short distances.

Behavior

When frightened Turs will run away, but they will return to the source of their fear, approach it and run off again numerous times. Turs stomp their feet and make a whistling sound when frightened.

When frightened, Ibex will run away and stay away creating the greatest degree of separation possible from the source of fear. Ibex will also whistle when frightened, but not as loudly as Turs. The male Ibex has the ability to whistle during the mating season. It is rare to hear this sound, which resembles that of a bird. Ibex will only produce this sound at the height of the breeding season

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