SCIMITAR-HORNED ORYX

Oryx dammah

The only oryx with curved horns, the scimitar-horned oryx was described in 1827 by Cretzschmar.  Because of their magnificent horns, these oryx have been hunted to the edge of extinction.  They once roamed throughout the Sahara desert, but are now restricted to a few small, isolated pockets.

Orux (Greek) a gazelle or antelope.  Damma (L) a fallow deer, an antelope, also dammar (Arabic) a sheep.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Size

Body Length: 160-175 cm / 5.3-5.8 ft.

Shoulder Height: 110-125 cm / 3.6-4.1 ft.

Tail Length: 60 cm / 2 ft.

Weight: 180-200 kg / 395-440 lb.

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Description

The coat is white with the neck and chest a bright russet.  There may be a light wash of russet over the flanks and thighs. The facial mask consists of vertical russet stripes which pass through the eyes and a wide reddish nose strip.  There is a faint ruddy flank stripe.  The long, tufted tail is dark brown on the outer half.  The most distinctive feature are the two scimitar or sickle-shaped horns.  Found in both sexes, these virtually ridge-less, thin horns curve up and over the back, growing 100-125 cm / 3.3-4.2 feet in length.  Because of their thinness, the horns are fairly fragile and are prone to breaking.

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Reproduction

Gestation Period: 8-8.5 months.

Young per Birth: 1

While the scimitar-horned oryx is an opportunistic breeder, births peak in March and October.  Within hours after birth, both mothers and calves return to the main herd.

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Life Cycle

Weaning: At 3.5 months

Sexual Maturity: At 1.5-2 years.

Life span: Up to 20 years.

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Habits

The scimitar-horned oryx is extremely gregarious, and there is a distinct reluctance in individuals to remain solitary.  During the wet season, herds migrate north into the Sahara, returning south as the dry season approaches.  They have numerous physiological adaptations to desert life which allow them to go without drinking water for weeks (or possibly even months).  Specialized kidneys prevent excess loss of water through urine, while perspiration is minimized by raising body temperature to a maximum of 46.5^o C (116^o F).  Up to this temperature, there is a normal flow of heat from the body to the environment without a loss of water.  Only after this point does it start to perspire.

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Lifestyle

Family group: Mixed herds of up to 70 individuals.  Formerly thousands of animals would group for migration.

Diet: Grasses, fruit, leaves.

Main Predators: Lion, leopard, hyena, Cape hunting dog.

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Status

The scimitar-horned oryx is considered critically endangered by the IUCN (1996).

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Habitat

Grassy steppes, semi-deserts, and deserts in a narrow strip of central north Africa (Niger & Chad).