Contents - Marwell Zoo

Introduction
In this international studbook for scimitar-horned oryx, I summarise available information
on the natural history and conservation of the species. For more detailed information see
the ‘biology, husbandry and conservation of scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah)’
published in 2004 and the papers and reports listed in the bibliography.
Natural History
Taxonomy
Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Mammalia
Order : Artiodactyla
Suborder : Ruminantia
Family : Bovidae
Sub-family : Hippotragini
Genus : Oryx
Species : Dammah
Common name : Scimitar-horned oryx, scimitar oryx, Sahara oryx, oryx
algazelle, antilope oryx, wach, begar al ouach
(IUCN, 2004; Wakefield, 1995; Devillers & Devillers-Terschuren, 2003; Engel, 2004a)
The scimitar-horned oryx was given the scientific name of Oryx dammah after it was
described by Cretzschmar in 1826. However, examination of the available literature
reveals that it has been also known as Oryx algazelle, Oryx tao, Oryx damma, Oryx
bezoarticus, Oryx ensicornis and Oryx leucoryx (which now belongs to the Arabian oryx)
(Dolan, 1973).
There are three species in the genus oryx; scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah), Arabian
oryx (Oryx leucoryx) and Oryx gazella which is further sub-divided into five sub-species;
gemsbok (Oryx gazella gazella), beisa oryx (Oryx gazella beisa), fringe-eared oryx (Oryx
gazella callotis), laikipia oryx (Oryx gazella annectens) and galla oryx (Oryx gazella
gallarum) (Dolan, 1966; ISIS, 1989; Devillers & Devillers-Terschuren, 2003; IUCN,
2004). It is possible to cross breed all species of oryx with addax (Addax nasomaculatus)
and the resulting hybrids are normally fertile (Engel, 2004a).
Morphology
Scimitar-horned oryx are large predominantly white antelope whose neck, shoulders and
rump are stained a deep russet colour. Their faces are white with light brown stripes
running down their nose, cheeks and through the eyes. Their most notable features are the
long, slender scimitar-shaped horns which can grow to a length of 150cm, although the
norm is approximately 90 to 115cm for an adult oryx (Newby, 1978a, 1988; Barzdo, 1982;
Kingdon, 1997). There is no sexual dimorphism between the sexes, although males may be
slightly larger than females (Dolan, 1966; Engel, 2004). At birth, calves are a light brown
colour, with adult colouration developing at three to 12 months old (Dolan, 1966; Gill &
Cave-Browne, 1988; Nishiki, 1992).
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