Scimitar-Horned Oryx
Oryx dammah  Fascinating Facts - The oryx can go weeks without water. Specialized kidneys prevent excessive loss through urine, plus its unique metabolism enables it to raise its body temperature to 116 degrees F before sweating begins, to conserve water.
- They are named for their long, curving horns.
- They are currently extinct in the wild.
Physical Characteristics Both sexes have curving horns that grow toward the back to a length of 3.3 - 4.2 feet. The coat is mostly white with a little russet over the thighs and flanks. They have vertical reddish stripes passing through the eye area and a wide nose stripe. The long tufted tail is dark. Large splayed hooves facilitate travel in sand. Males can weigh up to 480 pounds and stand 3.6 – 4.6 feet high at the shoulder. Habitat/Diet Now extinct in the wild, scimitar-horned oryx once lived in the northern African countries of Egypt, Senegal and Chad. Captive herds are kept fenced in Tunisia, Senegal and Morocco as part of long-term reintroduction programs. They once lived in the arid plains and deserts of North Africa, and their natural diet consists of grasses, herbs, roots and buds. At the Zoo, the oryx eat hay, browse and grain. Social Behavior Oryx usually travel in herds, ranging in size from 20 to 40. Most herds have a dominant or alpha bull. These bulls usually guide the herd as to when it will move and where. About 8 to 8.5 months after mating, females give birth to a single calf, weighing about 25 pounds. Because of their great nomadic ability, these oryx will travel many miles in search of new grass, which sprouts up quickly after sudden downpours. When food is scarce and concentrated, they can form herds of more than a hundred. Status In The Wild Scimitar-horned oryx are extinct in the wild. A few causes that contributed to their extinction include over-hunting, habitat loss and competition with domestic livestock for limited grazing. Other Our pair of oryx can be found in the African Savanna exhibit. | 
