Gemsbok (oryx gazella/beisa oryx/S. African Oryx)*

Geographic Range: Ethiopian: From Ethiopia and Somalia and eastern South Africa

Physical Characteristics: Mass: 180 to 225kg. The gemsbok is the largest of the oryx species. They have dramatic facial masks with halter-like facial markings paired with white patches. Black striping also extends along the sides near the underbelly. A short mane runs from the head to the shoulders. Ears are large and broad. The remainder of the body ranges from a buff tan color to brown. Males have a tuft of black hairs on the throat. Horns are long and extend straight back from the head. The lower half of these horns are ringed. These horns can grow up to 150 cm long, although females horns tend to be more slender and longer than those of males.

Food Habits: Feed on grasses and herbs, juicy roots, fruits, melons, leaves, buds, and bulbs. Can go without water for several days but will drink at streams and waterholes when water is available. Oryx are experts at finding water and often dig into dried river beds to access ground water. In dry periods, oryx also dig up fruits and root containing water.

Reproduction: Females recognize no particular breeding season, but rather space births at 9 month intervals. Males often compete for mates, but females can refuse matings by running away from males and circling in the reversed position. Only one young is born at a time. Gestation lasts approximately 8.5 months and young are between 9 and 15kg when born. Offspring are weaned after 3.5 months, but sexual maturity is not reached until ages between 1.5 and 2 years.

Behavior: Oryx are gregarious and live in groups usually of 30-40 individuals, but they can be found in larger groups in the wet season or during migration. Herds usually consist of one dominant male with several females and subadults. Groups of bachelor herds also form, with established dominance hierarchies. Male-male interactions are aggressive but rarely result in blood-letting or severe injury. Horns are used for fencing in these ritualized interactions, which occur most often at waterholes when many individuals come together and space is often limited. Displays are also common where males show their size by standing broadside to one another with horns pointed over their shoulders toward the individual being threatened. Often males will defend small territories in which they attempt to mate with and control all the females.

Habitat: Oryx gazella are most common in arid areas, including dry steppe, brush and tree savannas in flat and hilly areas, as well as semi-desert and desert.

Biomes:Desert, tropical scrub forest, tropical savanna and grasslands

*Reprinted with permission from the Alternative Livestock Reference Guide, Exotic Wildlife Assiciation