Chester Zoo 

Scimitar-Horned Oryx

As the name implies, this antelope’s most distinctive feature is its impressive scimitar shaped horns, up to 125cm long. It is the only oryx whose horns curve backwards. With a stout body, it is a white to pale buff colour, with deeper brown markings on the face and a russet neck and chest. Its tail is long and tufted. A reddish stripe runs along its white face from the eyes to the nose. In the wild its large hooves were used to help it cross sandy terrain.

What they eat

Grass, foliage and fruit.

How long they live

Up to 20 years

Biology

In past the Scimitar-horned Oryx lived in social groups with large herds migrating north in the rains heading for the Sahara regions and returning in the dry season. Its physiological make up enables it to survive for months without water, with its kidneys adapted to minimise fluid loss through urine. It can also withstand intense heat, its body being able to reach temperatures of up to 46.5 degrees centigrade before it perspires.
Animals reach sexual maturity at 18 months to two years old, with females usually giving birth to a single calf from March to October, after a gestation period of about eight months. Calves are weaned after just over three months.

Did you know?

In the wild the white coat of the Scimitar-horned Oryx helped it to keep cool by reflecting back the heat of the desert sun.