Altitudinal Distribution and Morphological Attributes of Chamois (Rupicapra Rupicapra Tatrica) Habitat in the Western Carpathians

The main attributes of Tatra chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra tatrica, Blahout 1972) habitat such as altitude, geographic orientation and slope were analysed in the Low Tatras Mts. (Central Slovakia). Visual observation record (n = 247) of altitude and post processing using Geographic information systems technologies were the main research methods. The amplitude of hypsometric distribution was 733 meters. The lowest altitude was 1,310 m. Significant differences between altitudinal distribution and sex age ratio have been found. The dominant geographic orientation chamois used was north, north-west and north-east. Unlike in summer season, when they preferred northern and north-eastern orientation, in winter season they preferred south-oriented sites. A slope gradient of <25°–35°> is optimal for chamois in summer and winter habitats and corresponds with local landscape topography (mainly flat alpine meadows).