ANIMALS AND PLANTS OF PY

3) fauna In the natural reserve of Py live wild boars, foxes, isards, martens, eagles, capercaillie and many insects. If they are not seen, we can find indices: prints, burrows, droppings, hair, feathers, remainders of meal...

The Isard Size: From 100 to 110 cm length, for a 70 cm height to the garrot. Weight: From 25 to 40 kg. Distinctive sign: The Isard belongs to the family of the antelopes. Its shoes are equipped with sharp edges which ensure adherence to the rock. Between the two hooves, a small membrane enables it to walk on snow. Reproduction: The female gives birth in spring. The kid makes two kilos with the birth. During its first year, it follows his mother and learns with its syblings, to jump in the rocks. Soon, it can descend a 100 height m wall in a few seconds and go up it also quickly, to survive falls or terrible avalanches, to plunge in a ravine without the least hesitation! Food: Lichens, buds (especially of sorb and beech), grass Habitat: Great grassy slopes to the rock faces to 3 000 m of altitude, but also hétraies-fir plantations during the winter. It is the emblem of the Pyrenean mountain, the isard failed to disappear in the years 1940: from now on, it is protected and its hunting is very regulated.