General Characteristics
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 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 3.3-4.2 feet in length. Because of their
thinness, the horns are fairly fragile and are prone to breaking.
Conservation Status
Scimitar Oryx were hunted for their horns, almost to extinction. Where once they occupied the whole Sahara, they are now considered to be extinct in the wild. A global captive breeding program was initiated in the 1960s. In 1996, there were at least 1,250 captive animals held in zoos and parks around the world with a further 2,145 on ranches in Texas.
Distribution
Grassy steppes, semi-deserts, and deserts in a narrow strip of central north Africa (Niger & Chad).
Ecology and Behavior
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 116o 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.
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
Conservation Status
Scimitar Oryx were hunted for their horns, almost to extinction. Where once they occupied the whole Sahara, they are now considered to be extinct in the wild. A global captive breeding program was initiated in the 1960s. In 1996, there were at least 1,250 captive animals held in zoos and parks around the world with a further 2,145 on ranches in Texas.
Distribution
Grassy steppes, semi-deserts, and deserts in a narrow strip of central north Africa (Niger & Chad).
Ecology and Behavior
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 116o 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.
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