Oryx

:For the helicopter, see Atlas Oryx.

Related Topics:
Helicopter - Atlas Oryx

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Oryx beisa

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Oryx dammah

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Oryx gazella

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Oryx leucoryx

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An Oryx is one of three or four large antelope species of the genus Oryx, typically having long straight nearly upright horns. Three of the species are found in Africa with a fourth in Arabia.

Related Topics:
Antelope - Africa - Arabia

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The East African Oryx (Oryx beisa) can survive without water for long periods. Some taxonimists make it a sub-species of the Gemsbok (Oryx gazella). The smallest species, the Arabian Oryx, is almost extinct, and another, the Scimitar Oryx of the Sahara is extinct in the wild. Oryxes live in herds of up to 60 animals.

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Newborn calves can run with the herd immediately after birth. Both

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males and females have permanent, narrow, straight horns. These horns are quite

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dangerous, and the oryx has been known to kill lions with them.

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The Oryx, when seen from the side, appears to have only one single horn which leads to speculations that it is probably the animal initially mistaken for Unicorn myths.

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• FAMILY BOVIDAE
• Subfamily Hippotraginae
• Genus Hippotragus
• Genus Oryx
• East African Oryx, Oryx beisa
• Scimitar Oryx, Oryx dammah
• Gemsbok, Oryx gazella
• Arabian Oryx, Oryx leucoryx
• Genus Addax
 
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