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Scientific
Name: Oryx gazella gazella
Size: 1.2 metres at shoulder
Weight: 240 kgs
IUCN Endangered Species?: Lower Risk
Conservation Dependant
Estimated Wild Population: 250000
Distribution: Angola, Namibia, Botswana,
Zimbabwe, South Africa
Description: This
beautiful antelope is a desert specialist almost without equal.
Coming from the Kalahari and Namib deserts of southern Africa, it
is essential that the gemsbok (or oryx) is able to survive in this
incredibly harsh environment where rainfall is sporadic and unreliable.
It is believed to be able to go its entire life without ever
needing to drink from standing water.
By feeding mainly at night when plants have a much higher
moisture content, it is able to satisfy its water requirements.
Cucumbers and melons also form a very important part of the diet
during the dry, winter months. However,
the gemsbok will drink when water is available and can even be quite
aggressive at water sources. Added
to its independence from water, the gemsbok’s body temperature can
rise to well in excess of 40 degrees centigrade without ill effect.
This temperature would kill most other animals.
Despite its size and enormous power, this stocky antelope is a
fast runner with very high endurance and has little to fear from
predators except lions and large hyena clans.
The long, sharp horns are used for self-defence and in clashes
between males. Horns
can reach over a metre in length and are longer and thinner in females.
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