This Species Is Slowly Becoming Nocturnal For a Very Disturbing Reason

Alpine ibexes usually descend from the safety of Europe's mountainous heights during the day to feast on grasses found at lower altitudes. But researchers tracking these animals noticed they've become increasingly less inclined to make this daytime vertical migration.

These big-horned goats (Capra ibex) now spend more time resting when it's light and foraging instead at night – a huge risk, given wolves stalk these areas under the cover of darkness.

"For this species, to be nocturnal is a problem – it's a big problem," University of Ferrara behavioral ecologist Stefano Grignolio told Benji Jones at Vox.

Ibex's open feeding grounds offer less cover to which they can flee from the wolves...more