Gemsbok

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Gemsbok

Conservation dependent (LR/cd)

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Artiodactyla
Family:	Bovidae
Subfamily:	Hippotraginae
Genus:	Oryx
Species:	O. gazella

Binomial name

Oryx gazella
(Linnaeus, 1758)

The gemsbok or gemsbuck (Oryx gazella) is a large African antelope, of the Oryx genus. The name is derived from the German name of the male chamois, Gemsbock. Although there are some superficial similarities in appearance (especially in the colour of the face area), the chamois and the oryx are not related.

Gemsbok live in herds of about 10-40 animals, which consist of a dominant male, a few non-dominant males, and females.They often live in association with zebras, gazelles, or other antelope. The female's horns may be curved, but the male's are thicker and parallel. Male gemsbok have been known to gore attacking lions with their horns.

There are two types of gemsbok: a northern and southern variety. The northern gemsboks have black-fringed ear, while the southern ones have longer horns and more rounded ears.

Gemsbok are mainly desert-dwelling and do not depend on drinking to supply their physiological water needs.

The species was introduced to Texas in the 1940s.

Gemsbok have an average shoulder height of four feet (One metre, 20 centimeters) and can weigh up to 450 pounds.

Gemsbok in Beijing Zoo	Gemsbok Oryx at the Natural Bridge Caverns Wildlife Park outside San Antonio, TX.	Gemsbok Oryx gazella at the Anysberg Nature Reserve, South Africa	Gemsbok at the Natural Bridge Caverns Wildlife Park.
Gemsbok at the Natural Bridge Caverns Wildlife Park.	Newborn Gemsbok with its mother, at the Buffalo Zoo, Buffalo, NY

[edit] References

Antelope Specialist Group (1996). Oryx gazella. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006.

[edit] External links

Animal Diversity Web's article on the Gemsbok