Details
Oryx leucoryx
A pale desert oryx of the Arabian Peninsula, with long straight horns. It is famous for recovering in the wild after captive breeding and reintroduction.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
Arabian oryx use deserts, gravel plains, dry grasslands, and wadis. Herds move widely after rain to find fresh grasses and shrubs.
They have a white body, dark facial and leg markings, and long straight horns in both sexes. The pale coat suits intense desert sunlight.
Small herds rest in shade or shallow scrapes during hot periods. Movements track rainfall and new plant growth across sparse landscapes.
They feed on grasses, shrub leaves, shoots, roots, and bulbs. Moisture from plants helps them tolerate areas with little free water.
Breeding occurs when conditions allow, and females usually bear a single calf. Reintroduced populations rely on protected areas and monitoring.
Once classified as extinct in the wild, the Arabian oryx became a landmark conservation recovery through captive breeding and reintroduction.
