The Stelvio National Park is home to some of the most famous mountain species. And you could well come across them when you're out and about in the mountains around Santa Caterina Valfurva and Bormio – find out how to spot them.
Ibex
A large species of goat with huge, ridged horns.
An inveterate climber, the ibex (or steinbock) is one of the easiest animals to spot in Alta Valtellina. You can often see them on rocky terrain or up on sunny mountain ridges. You may even encounter one or two at the Bagni Vecchi, where a group of them has set up home.
Chamois
An agile animal that moves as if it were wearing snowshoes
Of all the mountain ungulates (hoofed animals), this is the one most at home on the snow, thanks to a membrane connecting the two 'toes' of the hoof that increases their surface area for better traction on the snow – much like a snowshoe. In the winter, you can spot them more easily in and around Bormio as they descend the mountain to spend the colder months at lower altitudes in the forest, have dark fur that stands out against the snow, and even make a whistling noise.
Deer
Instantly recognisable due to their distinctive crown of antlers.
The king of the forest sheds them in the spring. To distinguish males from females, or red from roe deer, look at their size. Male red deer are larger than females, which in turn are considerably larger than roe deer.
Bearded vulture
The largest bird to nest in the valleys around Bormio.
The bearded vulture’s wingspan can reach up to three metres across, around a metre wider than the average human arm span.
To distinguish the gipeto (as this species is commonly known in Italian) from other birds of prey, look at the tail. If it's shaped like a diamond, you've probably spotted one. The adult also differs from the eagle due to the colour of its feathers, a pale rust colour rather than brown.
Golden eagle
The eagle, like the vulture, flaps its wings very little when flying. But its tail is rounded, like a fan.
Young eagles have large white marks on their wings and tail, which are easily visible from far away. As they grow the marks get smaller, disappearing altogether once they reach adulthood.
