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SPECIES DESCRIPTIONS
EVEN-TOED UNGULATES (Ruminantia)
This order includes all antelopes, sheep, goats and deer in the region.
Like all ruminants, they chew the cud and have incisor teeth only on
the lower jaw. In the region, males of all species carry horns, or antlers
in the case of deer, as do females of many species.
ANTELOPES
ARABIAN ORYX Oryx leucoryx
Identification This is the largest antelope on the Arabian Peninsula. It
is powerfully built and both sexes carry long, rapier-like horns (60–
cm). The overall white appearance and size distinguishes it from other
species. The lower legs are dark brown to black with a white ring
above each hoof. The tail is of moderate length and white for most of
its length, but terminating in a tuft of black hair. The face has a black
partial blaze, and a black patch between the horns and on the upper
throat. Calves are grey at birth, but soon take on a pale brown colour.
At three months they start to take on adult coloration. The large,
rounded hoofs of this antelope are an adaptation to its desert habitat.
Size Shoulder height 90 cm (to 1.2 m).
Weight To 120 kg.
Habitat and Behaviour This is a species of sand and stony desert
plains, as well as sand dunes. It avoids mountainous country. It does
not need to drink, obtaining sufficient moisture from the plants that
it eats. Although they are mostly grazers, Arabian Oryx browse readily
during the driest periods. They are nomadic and move considerable
distances in search of fresh grazing grounds. During the hottest
months they feed mainly at night. Herd size is generally small, ranging
from 2 to 30 individuals with a dominant bull and a dominant cow
leading the herd. Usually a single calf is dropped after a gestation
period of about 260 days.
Distribution and Status Once common across the Arabian Peninsula,
the Arabian Oryx occurred as far north as the Euphrates River and to
the Mediterranean coast of Palestine. By 1972 it had been hunted to
extinction in the wild, but there were captive populations from which
reintroductions into the wild were made in Wadi Yaluni, Oman, in the
1980s. Since then populations have been reintroduced in conservation
areas in Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Privately held captive herds are
maintained in a number of Arabian countries. Substantial herds are
held outside the region.
Conservation Areas Mahazat as-Sayd PA, Uruq Bani Ma’arid PA
(Saudi Arabia); Yaluni AOS (Oman); Shaumari WR (Jordan); Hai Bar NR
(Israel).