Gemsbok/African Oryx
(Oryx gazella)
The
largest of the oryx species, the gemsbok can be found in the Horn of Africa,
South Africa, and small pockets of the Sahara. Standing nearly four feet at
the shoulder and weighing 250 to 390 lbs., the gemsbok is a striking animal
with dramatic features. Their horns extend straight back from their heads
and are up to 30 inches long, with the female’s slightly longer and thinner
than those of the male. Their coats are buff to brown in color with characteristic
black markings on their faces, sides, throats, chests, and backs.
Gemsbok feed early in the morning, in the late afternoon, and on moonlit
nights on grasses, herbs, juicy roots, fruits, melons, leaves, buds, and bulbs,
from which they obtain much of their water supply, enabling them to go without
for several days or weeks. However, they do drink at streams and waterholes
when they are available. They also dig into dried riverbeds to access ground
water in times of need. Their life span is as long as 20 years.