The addax, aka screwhorn antelope or white antelope, hails from Africa; more explicitly in Chad, Maritania, Niger, and Mali. These once prolific antelopes have been reduced to a mere fraction of their original populations. It is estimated that there are but 90 wild individuals remaining, as of 2016. So, there are likely far less now. They face the threats of habitat loss and destruction at the hands of farming, ranching, and oil & gas mining; hunting; trapping; and climate change (which can cause severe droughts). Their numbers are also decreasing.
First the Stats…
Scientific name: Addax nasomaculatus
Weight: Up to 275 lbs.
Length: Up to 5.5 feet
Height: Up to 38 inches, at the shoulders
Lifespan: Up to 25 years
Now on to the Facts!
1.) Addax prefer arid regions, semi-deserts, and stony, or sandy deserts that host tussock grasses and the succulent thorny scrub called cornulaca.
2.) These critters are nocturnal (active at night).
3.) During the day they will dig out depressions in the sand, underneath shade trees and shrubs, in which to take shelter from the hot African sun.
4.) Due to their keen senses, these beasts are able to locate each other over great distances and reunite.
5.) Their senses also aid in locating rainfall, where there is water and an abundance of plants to graze on.
But wait, there’s more on the addax!
6.) A group of addax is called a cluster, herd, or tribe.
7.) They can be found in smaller sized herds of up to 20 individuals.
Did you know…?
Known as short legged runners, these antelopes tend to easily fall victim from faster predators.
8.) Various grasses, shrub leafs, leguminous herbs, bushes, and acacia tree leafs are all on the menu for these herbivores (eat plant matter).
9.) These critters are polygynous (1 male mates with several females).
10.) Females undergo up to a 264 day gestation (pregnancy) that yields a single calf.
But wait, there’s still more on the addax!
11.) The calf is weaned in up to 39 weeks.
12.) Heavily adapted to desert life, these critters can survive long periods without drinking standing water; gaining most of their moisture from the plants they eat.
Did you know…?
Their hooves are splayed in order to help with walking on sand.
13.) While a rare sight to see in the wild, they are popular and abundant in various zoos.
14.) They run in sort of a flat gallop, with a stiff-kneed stride, due to smaller leg flexing.
15.) African wild dogs, caracals, cheetahs, hyenas, lions, leopards, servals, and humans all prey on addax.
Now a Short Addax Video!
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Some source material acquired from: Wikipedia & IUCN
Photo credit: Josh More
