The Arabian oryx, aka white oryx, is a mid-sized species of antelope and the smallest member of the oryx genus. They are native to desert and steppe regions of the Arabian Peninsula. These critters are threatened by habitat loss and destruction at the hands of residential and commercial developments, farming, and ranching, which competes with these critters for grazing locations; hunting, for their meat, horns, and hide; trapping, for sale to private collections; and climate change that can cause severe droughts. The IUCN lists these creatures as Vulnerable. Their population trend is listed as stable, for now.
First the Stats…
Scientific name: Oryx leucoryx
Weight: Up to 460 lbs.
Length: Up to 5.81 feet
Height: Up to 4.1 feet, at the shoulders
Lifespan: Up to 20 years
Now on to the Facts!
1.) Their horns can reach up to 4.8 feet in length!
2.) In 1986, these critters were classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, and in 2011, they were the first animal to revert to the Vulnerable status after previously being listed as extinct in the wild.
3.) There are approximately up to 7,000 captive individuals, worldwide.
4.) The taxonomic name Oryx leucoryx hails from the Greek orux (translating to “gazelle” or “antelope”) and leukos (which translates to “white”).
5.) They are also called dishon in Hebrew, and baqar al-wahsh, boosolah, maha, and wudhaihi in Arabic.
But wait, there’s more on the Arabian oryx!
6.) Peter Simon Pallas first described the Arabian oryx scientifically in 1777, giving them the binomial name Oryx leucoryx.
7.) Historically, the Arabian oryx likely ranged throughout most of the Middle East. In the early 1800s, they could still be seen in the Sinai, Palestine, the Transjordan, a good portion of Iraq, as well as most of the Arabian Peninsula.
Did you know…?
There are only an estimated 1,000+/- wild individuals remaining, to date.
8.) During the 19th century and early 20th century, their range was pushed back towards Saudi Arabia and, by 1914, only a handful survived outside that region.
9.) In the 1930s, Arabian princes and oil company clerks began hunting these oryxes with vehicles and rifles. Hunts grew, and some were reported to deploy as many as 300 vehicles. By the middle of the 20th century, the northern population was basically extinct.
10.) The last Arabian oryx in the wild before their reintroduction was reported in 1972.
But wait, there’s still more on the Arabian oryx!
11.) Arabian oryxes have been reintroduced to Israel, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates. A small population has also been introduced to Bahrain, Hawar Island, and large, semi-managed populations at numerous sites in Qatar and the UAE.
12.) The total reintroduced population is now estimated to be approximately 1,000. This puts these oryxes well above the threshold of 250 mature individuals needed to qualify for endangered status.
Did you know…?
They have the uncanny ability to detect rainfall and will move towards it, whenever it occurs. It is likely that they pick up on the petrichor (smell of rain when it falls and releases the aromas caused by a combination of plant oils and a chemical compounds called geosmin).
13.) Herds in Oman can range over 1,200 square miles!
14.) Their herds can consist of around 2 – 15 individuals, but can contain up to 100.
15.) Buds, fruit, grasses, herbs, tubers, and roots are all happily grazed on.
But wait, there’s still a bit more on the Arabian oryx!
16.) These antelopes can go for several weeks without drinking standing water, obtaining their moisture from the plants they consume.
17.) They dig shallow depressions in the soft ground under shrubs or trees for resting during the heat of the day.
Did you know…?
Because of the changes in behavior and physiology, it has been shown that they can reduce their urine volume, fecal water loss, and resting metabolic rate by up to 50%.
18.) Dominance hierarchies are established within the herd by posturing displays, which avoid the danger of serious injury their long, sharp horns could possibly inflict. Males and females use their horns to defend the sparse territorial resources against outsiders.
19.) These critters are both diurnal (active during the day) and nocturnal (active at night).
20.) They will dramatically reduce their minimal fasting metabolic rate by lying completely still beneath shade trees during the day and ranging over smaller areas at night to forage for food.
But wait, there’s still a tad bit more on the Arabian oryx!
21.) The Arabian wolf is their primary predator, sans humans.
22.) The Arabian oryx is the national animal of Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
23.) The Phoenix Zoo & Fauna and Flora International, with financial help from the World Wildlife Fund, are credited with saving these oryxes from extinction.
24.) Females undergo up to a 240 day gestation (pregnancy) that yields a single calf.
Now a Short Arabian Oryx Video!
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Some source material acquired from: Wikipedia & IUCN
Photo credit: Math Knight
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