棲息在海拔2100—6300米之(zhi)間的高(gao)山裸巖地帶,不同地區棲息的高(gao)度有所變化,但(dan)不見(jian)于森林及灌木叢中,有較強的耐寒性。
分(fen)布于(yu)中國青藏高原(yuan)、四川西部、云南(nan)北(bei)(bei)部、內蒙(meng)古西部、甘(gan)肅、寧夏北(bei)(bei)部、新疆(jiang)南(nan)部、陜西等地,以及毗鄰的(de)尼(ni)泊爾(er)、錫(xi)金(jin)、克(ke)什米(mi)爾(er)地區。
巖羊(yang)(yang)(yang)又(you)叫崖羊(yang)(yang)(yang)、石羊(yang)(yang)(yang)、青(qing)羊(yang)(yang)(yang)等,形(xing)態介于(yu)綿(mian)羊(yang)(yang)(yang)與(yu)山羊(yang)(yang)(yang)之(zhi)間,外(wai)貌(mao)也(ye)(ye)確實(shi)兼有(you)這兩類羊(yang)(yang)(yang)的(de)(de)(de)一些特(te)征(zheng)。就體(ti)(ti)形(xing)而(er)(er)言,巖羊(yang)(yang)(yang)很象綿(mian)羊(yang)(yang)(yang),不(bu)(bu)過(guo)它(ta)的(de)(de)(de)角(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)不(bu)(bu)盤旋(xuan),而(er)(er)近(jin)似(si)山羊(yang)(yang)(yang),但雄(xiong)獸(shou)(shou)的(de)(de)(de)下頜又(you)沒(mei)有(you)胡須,也(ye)(ye)沒(mei)有(you)膻味。它(ta)的(de)(de)(de)體(ti)(ti)形(xing)中等,體(ti)(ti)長(chang)(chang)120—140厘(li)(li)米(mi)(mi),尾(wei)長(chang)(chang)13—20厘(li)(li)米(mi)(mi),肩(jian)高70—90厘(li)(li)米(mi)(mi),體(ti)(ti)重為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)60—75千克。頭(tou)部(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)長(chang)(chang)而(er)(er)狹,耳朵短(duan)小(xiao)。通(tong)身均(jun)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)青(qing)灰色(se),吻部(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)和(he)顏面(mian)(mian)部(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)灰白(bai)(bai)色(se)與(yu)黑(hei)色(se)相混,胸(xiong)部(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)黑(hei)褐色(se),向(xiang)(xiang)下延伸到前肢(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)的(de)(de)(de)前面(mian)(mian),轉為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)明顯(xian)(xian)的(de)(de)(de)黑(hei)紋(wen),直達蹄部(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)。腹部(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)和(he)四(si)肢(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)的(de)(de)(de)內側則呈(cheng)白(bai)(bai)色(se)或(huo)黃白(bai)(bai)色(se)。體(ti)(ti)側的(de)(de)(de)下緣(yuan)從腋下開始,經腰部(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)、鼠鼷部(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu),一直到后(hou)(hou)肢(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)的(de)(de)(de)前面(mian)(mian)蹄子上(shang)(shang)邊,有(you)一條(tiao)明顯(xian)(xian)的(de)(de)(de)黑(hei)紋(wen)。臀部(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)和(he)尾(wei)巴的(de)(de)(de)底(di)部(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)白(bai)(bai)色(se),尾(wei)巴背(bei)面(mian)(mian)末(mo)端(duan)的(de)(de)(de)三(san)分(fen)之(zhi)二(er)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)黑(hei)色(se)。冬(dong)季(ji)體(ti)(ti)毛比(bi)(bi)夏季(ji)長(chang)(chang)而(er)(er)色(se)淡。雄(xiong)獸(shou)(shou)的(de)(de)(de)四(si)肢(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)前緣(yuan)有(you)黑(hei)紋(wen),而(er)(er)雌獸(shou)(shou)則沒(mei)有(you)。雄(xiong)獸(shou)(shou)和(he)雌獸(shou)(shou)都有(you)角(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao),但雌獸(shou)(shou)的(de)(de)(de)角(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)很短(duan),僅有(you)13厘(li)(li)米(mi)(mi)左(zuo)右,基部(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)扁,角(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)形(xing)直,往(wang)上(shang)(shang)逐漸(jian)變得尖(jian)細(xi),橫(heng)(heng)切面(mian)(mian)幾乎為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)圓(yuan)形(xing)。雄(xiong)獸(shou)(shou)的(de)(de)(de)角(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)的(de)(de)(de)長(chang)(chang)度為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)60厘(li)(li)米(mi)(mi)左(zuo)右,最高記錄為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)84.4厘(li)(li)米(mi)(mi),既不(bu)(bu)像盤羊(yang)(yang)(yang)那(nei)樣(yang)盤成螺旋(xuan)形(xing),而(er)(er)且有(you)很多(duo)褶皺和(he)顆粒,也(ye)(ye)不(bu)(bu)象北山羊(yang)(yang)(yang)那(nei)樣(yang)朝后(hou)(hou)呈(cheng)彎刀形(xing),而(er)(er)且具橫(heng)(heng)棱,而(er)(er)是(shi)先向(xiang)(xiang)上(shang)(shang),再向(xiang)(xiang)兩側分(fen)開外(wai)展(zhan),然后(hou)(hou)在一半(ban)處(chu)稍向(xiang)(xiang)后(hou)(hou)彎,角(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)尖(jian)略(lve)微偏向(xiang)(xiang)上(shang)(shang)方,整個角(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)的(de)(de)(de)表面(mian)(mian)都比(bi)(bi)較光(guang)滑(hua),末(mo)端(duan)尖(jian)細(xi),角(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)基略(lve)有(you)一些粗而(er)(er)模糊(hu)的(de)(de)(de)橫(heng)(heng)棱,橫(heng)(heng)切面(mian)(mian)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)圓(yuan)形(xing)或(huo)鈍三(san)角(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)形(xing),雖然沒(mei)有(you)盤羊(yang)(yang)(yang)和(he)北山羊(yang)(yang)(yang)角(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)那(nei)樣(yang)奇特(te),但也(ye)(ye)因為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)特(te)別粗大,顯(xian)(xian)得十(shi)分(fen)雄(xiong)偉。
躺(tang)臥(wo)在草地上(shang)時(shi),身體的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)顏色與(yu)草地上(shang)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)裸露巖(yan)石極難分辨,因而有(you)保護作(zuo)用。雖然(ran)經常(chang)(chang)出現(xian)于(yu)比(bi)較開(kai)闊的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)地方,但(dan)其(qi)(qi)攀(pan)登山巒的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)本領在動物中是無與(yu)倫比(bi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)。受驚時(shi)能在亂(luan)石間迅速跳躍(yue),并(bing)攀(pan)上(shang)險(xian)峻陡峭(qiao)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)山崖。但(dan)也(ye)有(you)一(yi)個致命的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)弱點,逃到山脊上(shang)以后(hou),總要回過頭(tou)來看一(yi)看,再(zai)飛奔而逃,而往往在這個時(shi)候喪生(sheng)。它(ta)有(you)遷(qian)移習性(xing)(xing),冬季生(sheng)活(huo)在大(da)約海(hai)拔2400米處,春夏(xia)常(chang)(chang)棲(qi)(qi)于(yu)海(hai)拔3500—6000米之間,冬季和夏(xia)季都不下(xia)降到林線以下(xia)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)地方活(huo)動。性(xing)(xing)喜(xi)群居,常(chang)(chang)十(shi)多(duo)只(zhi)或幾(ji)十(shi)只(zhi)在一(yi)起(qi)活(huo)動,有(you)時(shi)也(ye)可結成(cheng)(cheng)數百(bai)只(zhi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)大(da)群。群體成(cheng)(cheng)員(yuan)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)依戀性(xing)(xing)很強,如(ru)果有(you)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)成(cheng)(cheng)員(yuan)不幸死亡,其(qi)(qi)他成(cheng)(cheng)員(yuan)常(chang)(chang)將死尸(shi)圍住,不讓兀(wu)鷲等食腐(fu)動物叼走。夏(xia)季雄獸(shou)有(you)時(shi)五(wu)六只(zhi)在一(yi)起(qi),爬上(shang)最(zui)高(gao)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)頂峰上(shang)棲(qi)(qi)息(xi),到秋(qiu)季發(fa)情期時(shi)才下(xia)來加入大(da)群中同居。有(you)時(shi),巖(yan)羊與(yu)北(bei)山羊也(ye)會在同一(yi)處棲(qi)(qi)息(xi),但(dan)不混群,也(ye)不發(fa)生(sheng)沖突(tu)。
主要以蒿草、苔草、針茅等(deng)高(gao)山荒漠(mo)植(zhi)物和杜鵑、繡線菊、金(jin)露(lu)梅(mei)等(deng)灌(guan)木的枝葉為食,取食時(shi)間不十分固定,白(bai)天常(chang)時(shi)而(er)(er)取食時(shi)而(er)(er)休(xiu)息。
巖(yan)羊(yang)每年冬季12月至翌年1月發情交配(pei)。雄獸(shou)之間的爭偶形式于其他(ta)羊(yang)類相似,但沒有(you)其他(ta)羊(yang)類激(ji)烈。雌獸(shou)的懷孕期為(wei)5—6個月,6—7月生產(chan),每胎產(chan)1仔。幼(you)仔出生10天后(hou)就能(neng)在(zai)巖(yan)石上攀登,1.5—2歲時性(xing)成(cheng)熟。壽命為(wei)18—20年。
巖羊在(zai)動物園中比較容易繁(fan)殖。交(jiao)配期(qi)在(zai)秋末(mo)冬初,孕(yun)后將公羊分(fen)開(kai),以免追(zhui)逐雌獸導致流產(chan)。6、7月(yue)產(chan)仔。產(chan)后2小時身上毛干即(ji)可站立活動。如(ru)果初產(chan),不(bu)善哺(bu)乳(ru),可輔助吸乳(ru)。幼羔生長較快(kuai),3個月(yue)后即(ji)可斷(duan)奶。半歲后開(kai)始長角,2歲性(xing)成熟。
邱明江在(zai)青(qing)海(hai)(hai)唐古拉(la)山地(di)(di)對(dui)(dui)有(you)(you)蹄(ti)類作路線統計(ji)(ji)(ji),巖(yan)(yan)(yan)羊(yang)每平(ping)(ping)(ping)方公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)里有(you)(you)0.17只(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)。在(zai)四(si)川(chuan)石渠和(he)白(bai)玉(yu)等(deng)地(di)(di),百只(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)以上的(de)(de)大群(qun)(qun)(qun)(qun)經(jing)常可(ke)見(jian)。估計(ji)(ji)(ji)它們的(de)(de)數(shu)量(liang)(liang)會超過(guo)10萬(wan)(wan)(wan)只(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)以上(盛和(he)林(lin),1958)。以下為(wei)(wei)(wei)幾位作者對(dui)(dui)部(bu)(bu)(bu)分(fen)地(di)(di)區(qu)(qu)的(de)(de)西藏巖(yan)(yan)(yan)羊(yang)的(de)(de)種(zhong)群(qun)(qun)(qun)(qun)數(shu)量(liang)(liang)調(diao)查結果:鹽池灣自(zi)然(ran)保護(hu)區(qu)(qu)(甘(gan)肅)3.301只(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)/平(ping)(ping)(ping)方公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)里,總(zong)數(shu)為(wei)(wei)(wei)469只(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)/4248平(ping)(ping)(ping)方公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)里(Zhen, et. al., 1989);阿爾(er)(er)(er)泰自(zi)然(ran)保護(hu)區(qu)(qu)(新疆(jiang)(jiang))4.5只(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)/平(ping)(ping)(ping)方公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)里(Gu, et. al., 1990);塔(ta)(ta)什(shen)庫爾(er)(er)(er)干自(zi)然(ran)保護(hu)區(qu)(qu)(新疆(jiang)(jiang))2.5只(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)/平(ping)(ping)(ping)方公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)里,總(zong)數(shu)為(wei)(wei)(wei)260只(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)/120平(ping)(ping)(ping)方公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)里(Schaller, et. al., 1987);塔(ta)(ta)什(shen)庫爾(er)(er)(er)干自(zi)然(ran)保護(hu)區(qu)(qu)(新疆(jiang)(jiang))0.2只(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)/ 平(ping)(ping)(ping)方公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)里,總(zong)數(shu)為(wei)(wei)(wei)31只(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)/150 平(ping)(ping)(ping)方公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)里(Schaller, et. al., 1987);阿爾(er)(er)(er)金山為(wei)(wei)(wei)50只(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)/391平(ping)(ping)(ping)方公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)里(Luo, et. al., 1991);阿爾(er)(er)(er)泰山為(wei)(wei)(wei)9.4只(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)/平(ping)(ping)(ping)方公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)里,總(zong)數(shu)為(wei)(wei)(wei) 307只(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)/312 平(ping)(ping)(ping)方公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)里(Luo, et. al., 1991);阿爾(er)(er)(er)泰山西部(bu)(bu)(bu)0.5-9.2只(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)/平(ping)(ping)(ping)方公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)里(Gu, et. al. 1991)。Luo等(deng)1991年(nian)估計(ji)(ji)(ji)阿爾(er)(er)(er)泰山西部(bu)(bu)(bu)703平(ping)(ping)(ping)方公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)里的(de)(de)面積(ji)上有(you)(you)西藏巖(yan)(yan)(yan)羊(yang)357只(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi);谷景和(he)等(deng)(1991)估計(ji)(ji)(ji)新疆(jiang)(jiang)界內(nei)西藏高原北部(bu)(bu)(bu)有(you)(you)8000-10000只(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi);1990年(nian)估計(ji)(ji)(ji)阿爾(er)(er)(er)金山自(zi)然(ran)保護(hu)區(qu)(qu)(新疆(jiang)(jiang))有(you)(you)10000只(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)。然(ran)而,Achuff和(he)Petocz(1988)認(ren)為(wei)(wei)(wei)這些估計(ji)(ji)(ji)數(shu)據過(guo)于樂觀。Schaller(1990)認(ren)為(wei)(wei)(wei)在(zai)西藏羌(qiang)塘的(de)(de)種(zhong)群(qun)(qun)(qun)(qun)密度比估計(ji)(ji)(ji)的(de)(de)要(yao)低得(de)多(duo),因為(wei)(wei)(wei)他在(zai)沿該地(di)(di)區(qu)(qu)的(de)(de)7142km長(chang)的(de)(de)距離(li)僅觀察到(dao)426只(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)西藏巖(yan)(yan)(yan)羊(yang)。但可(ke)以肯定,西藏巖(yan)(yan)(yan)羊(yang)在(zai)西藏北部(bu)(bu)(bu)和(he)昆(kun)侖山的(de)(de)無人居住(zhu)區(qu)(qu)數(shu)量(liang)(liang)比較豐富。在(zai)昆(kun)侖山、喀拉(la)昆(kun)侖和(he)帕米(mi)爾(er)(er)(er)交匯處(chu)的(de)(de)塔(ta)(ta)什(shen)庫爾(er)(er)(er)干保護(hu)區(qu)(qu)數(shu)量(liang)(liang)相(xiang)對(dui)(dui)比較豐富(Schaller等(deng),1988)。還(huan)沒有(you)(you)有(you)(you)關四(si)川(chuan)巖(yan)(yan)(yan)羊(yang)的(de)(de)總(zong)數(shu)的(de)(de)報道。1986和(he)1988年(nian)在(zai)青(qing)海(hai)(hai)東南(nan)部(bu)(bu)(bu)的(de)(de)玉(yu)樹和(he)果洛兩地(di)(di)的(de)(de)調(diao)查表(biao)明有(you)(you)144群(qun)(qun)(qun)(qun),共4470只(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(Ren and Yu,1990)。1962年(nian),估計(ji)(ji)(ji)青(qing)海(hai)(hai)的(de)(de)四(si)川(chuan)巖(yan)(yan)(yan)羊(yang)總(zong)數(shu)為(wei)(wei)(wei)120萬(wan)(wan)(wan)頭(tou),其(qi)中(zhong)26.7萬(wan)(wan)(wan)頭(tou)在(zai)東部(bu)(bu)(bu)地(di)(di)區(qu)(qu)。而1972年(nian)調(diao)查,青(qing)海(hai)(hai)東部(bu)(bu)(bu)大約有(you)(you)9.2萬(wan)(wan)(wan)頭(tou),可(ke)見(jian)種(zhong)群(qun)(qun)(qun)(qun)數(shu)量(liang)(liang)在(zai)減(jian)少,而且種(zhong)群(qun)(qun)(qun)(qun)常被(bei)分(fen)割。Harris (1998)就1997年(nian)在(zai)甘(gan)肅西部(bu)(bu)(bu)阿克塞(sai)(sai)地(di)(di)區(qu)(qu)的(de)(de)考察報道稱:在(zai)甘(gan)肅阿克塞(sai)(sai)地(di)(di)區(qu)(qu)見(jian)到(dao)42頭(tou),在(zai)巖(yan)(yan)(yan)羊(yang)保護(hu)區(qu)(qu)見(jian)到(dao)70頭(tou)。
種(zhong)群增(zeng)長影響的主要因素(su)是普遍的任意(yi)獵殺(sha)。從1958年到(dao)1989年間,每年有10萬到(dao)20萬kg的巖(yan)羊(yang)肉從青海(hai)出(chu)口到(dao)德(de)國(guo)等(deng)地。即每年大約(yue)有5000到(dao)10000只巖(yan)羊(yang)被(bei)(bei)殺(sha)。該(gai)數據(ju)還不包括那些被(bei)(bei)當地獵人捕殺(sha)的數量(liang)。
2014年(nian)12月(yue)12日,巖羊(yang)在山壁(bi)上活(huo)動。進入冬(dong)季,寧夏賀蘭山標志性生物(wu)(wu)、國家二級保護動物(wu)(wu)巖羊(yang)開始有規律地在山腳下活(huo)動,尋找(zhao)水源和(he)食物(wu)(wu)。近年(nian)來,由于封山禁牧、退耕還林等政(zheng)策,寧夏賀蘭山一(yi)帶生態系統逐(zhu)步恢復,巖羊(yang)數量穩中有升,目前(qian)分布達(da)到每平方公里14到17只(zhi),總量也(ye)由封山禁牧前(qian)的1萬余只(zhi)增(zeng)加(jia)到現在的2萬只(zhi)以上。
列入中國國家(jia)二級重點保護野(ye)生動物名錄(lu)。
列入《世界自(zi)然(ran)保護聯(lian)盟》(IUCN) 2012年瀕危物種(zhong)紅色名(ming)錄ver 3.1——低危(LC)。