It's too hot in the mountains, the ibexes are starting to live at night

The study carried out by the University of Ferrara highlights the risks of climate change for animal species

AOSTA – To escape the great heat up to high altitudes, ibexes are changing their habits:from diurnal animals they are becoming increasingly nocturnal. Research by the University of Ferrara shows that global warming puts ungulates, especially widespread in the western Alps, at risk, with the animals more active at night as a response to the heat both in areas where the wolf is present, such as the Gran National Park Paradise, both in areas where the predator is not yet there, such as the Swiss National Park.According to the researchers, “the need to live in ideal conditions from a thermal point of view is more important than the risk of being preyed upon” and this could also mean that climate change - in the long run - could be really dangerous not only for ibexes, but also for other species that are poorly adapted to higher temperatures.

LIVING AT NIGHT?IT INCREASES THE RISK OF PREDATION

The ibex's response, which with the warmer weather moves to areas less suitable for its life, increasing nocturnal activity and accepting a greater risk of predation, according to researchers from the Estense University "it could also be implemented by other typically diurnal species".The changes would imply a worsening of living conditions and an increased risk of predation, because these species have evolved to be active during the day.”

The study - supervised by Professor Stefano Grignolio of the Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, with the contribution of the University of Sassari and the two protected areas of Valle d'Aosta and Switzerland - demonstrated that the increase in nocturnal activity in relation to temperature is similar in both males and females, even though these weigh about half as much as males and have decidedly smaller horns, "facing a higher risk of predation".

NIGHT IBEXS, WHAT CHANGES FOR MAN

The direct consequences of the research, for now, are essentially two.First of all, “sand animals change the times of day when they are active, it will be necessary to review our wildlife management activities, for example censuses, because during daylight hours it will be more difficult to find and count animals" explains the Ferrara university in a note.Furthermore, "it will be essential to reduce other sources of stress that could further force the animals to be less active during the day.For example, reducing the presence of tourists in the areas most used by ibex or avoiding helicopters flying over them."“Our research highlights a further consequence of global warming– comments Professor Grignolio – which will force some diurnal species to be active at night, accepting an increase in the risk of predation.The ultimate consequences of these changes in the behavior of diurnal species are not yet evident to us we will have to understand whether they could jeopardize the conservation of these species“.