GEMSBOK

 

 

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

  • Gemsbok are large bovids with very thick, muscular necks, covered in dense, inelastic skin.

  • This species is the largest of the Oryx species.

  • Whereas males are slightly larger.

  • The slightly curved, ringed horns

  • The horns of females are often shorter and more slender than those of males.

  • Black markings on the face extend down from the base of the horns to above the muzzle, and sweep back in stripes over the eyes and cheeks.

  •  Black continues down the neck and around the underbody, forming bands around all four legs.

 

HEAD TO BODY LENGTH : 180 -195 cm ( 70.87 – 76.77 in )

HORN LENGTH : 85 cm ( 33 in )

Tail Length:  80 – 90 cm ( 31 – 35 in )

SHOULDER HEIGHT: 1.2 -1.4 m ( 4.0 -4.5 feet )

WEIGHT: 180 – 225 kg ( 400 -500 lbs )

RANGE: Southern East Africa

HABITAT: Wooded and wetter grasslands

FOOD: Dry  and green grass

STATUS: Threatened, although the numbers are declining

REASON FOR STATUS : Habitat destruction

GESTATION PERIOD : 8.50 months

LIFESPAN: 18 years in the wild/ 22 yrs in captivity

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