Arabian Oryx
Arabian oryx
latin/scientific name
The taxonomic name Oryx leucoryx is from the Greek orux (gazelle or antelope) and leukos (white).
Arabian oryx description * Highly specialized for its harsh desert environment. * The bright white coat reflects the sun’s rays and the hooves are splayed and shovel-like to providing a large surface area to walk on the sandy ground . * The brown legs with white bands on the ankles, and brown markings on the face, on the bridge of the nose, the cheeks and a triangular patch on the forehead. * Have brown with markings on their tail and knees. * Have ringed horns for both sex that can reach up to 68 centimeters in length . the female are thinner and longer than the male .Males have a tuft of hair on the throat . * The tails of both sexes at the ends and dark brown/black on the lower half .
Arabian oryx natural diet
Arabian oryx graze on grasses and herbs and will also take roots and tubers; they can go without direct water sources for long periods of time .
Arabian oryx habitat
Inhabits the arid plains and deserts of Arabia, where height temperatures reach to 50ºC in the shade in the summer months .
Arabian oryx threats
Because the the Second World War with the availability of firearms and motorised transport and the demand for sport hunting, the Arabian oryx became extinct in the wild in 1972 when the last recorded animal was shot, after the success of re-introduced herds during the 1990s, poaching once again has become a serious threat .
* The Arabian oryx is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List
Illustration
latin/scientific name
The taxonomic name Oryx leucoryx is from the Greek orux (gazelle or antelope) and leukos (white).
Arabian oryx description * Highly specialized for its harsh desert environment. * The bright white coat reflects the sun’s rays and the hooves are splayed and shovel-like to providing a large surface area to walk on the sandy ground . * The brown legs with white bands on the ankles, and brown markings on the face, on the bridge of the nose, the cheeks and a triangular patch on the forehead. * Have brown with markings on their tail and knees. * Have ringed horns for both sex that can reach up to 68 centimeters in length . the female are thinner and longer than the male .Males have a tuft of hair on the throat . * The tails of both sexes at the ends and dark brown/black on the lower half .
Arabian oryx natural diet
Arabian oryx graze on grasses and herbs and will also take roots and tubers; they can go without direct water sources for long periods of time .
Arabian oryx habitat
Inhabits the arid plains and deserts of Arabia, where height temperatures reach to 50ºC in the shade in the summer months .
Arabian oryx threats
Because the the Second World War with the availability of firearms and motorised transport and the demand for sport hunting, the Arabian oryx became extinct in the wild in 1972 when the last recorded animal was shot, after the success of re-introduced herds during the 1990s, poaching once again has become a serious threat .
* The Arabian oryx is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List
Illustration