The gemsbok or gemsbuck (Oryx gazella) exists mostly in the southern part of East Africa and have been introduced in Mexico and the southwestern United States. Its name is actually derived from the German word for a male chamois, although they are not related. The Gemsbocks are known for their capability to last a long time without water. They have a special mechanism to loose heat quickly: they raise their body temperature to 45 degrees Celsius. Oryx gazella is the largest of the Oryx family of antelopes and are hunted by lions, cheetahs, leopards, spotted hyenas and African hunting dogs. Their conservation status is 'Lower risk - conservation dependent'. Image: user Shizhao, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 1.0
Which zoos have them?
Artis (Netherlands)The Gemsbok is listed as Conservation Dependent (LR/cd), the focus of a continuing taxon-specific or habitat-specific conservation programme targeted towards the taxon in question, the cessation of which would result in the taxon qualifying for one of the threatened categories below within a period of five years, on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Countries
Angola, Botswana, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and ZimbabweSome facts about the
Gemsbok
Adult weight : 170 kg (374 lbs)
Maximum longevity : 24 years
Female maturity :550 days
Male maturity : 550 days
Gestation : 270 days
Litter size : 1
Litters per year : 1
Weight at birth : 12 kg (26.4 lbs)
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