Main facts about Arabian oryx
The publications mentioned in the reference section are fully quoted in the Publications section. Direct links are provided for publications to which NWRC/NCWCD staff have contribued (for example Cribiu et al., 1989). they give access to to summaries and PDF file.
| MORPHOLOGICAL ASPECTS | NWRC | Wild | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colour coat at birth | brown |
Flamand, 1994 | |
| Coat colour change to white (month) | 3 |
Flamand, 1994 | |
| Body mass at birth (kg) | 6.2 [2.5-8] |
- |
Flamand, 1994 |
| Adult body mass | 90 [67-113] |
89 [62-124] |
NWRC internal report |
| Body length (m) | 1.95 [1.7-2.1] |
1.90 [1.7-2.1] |
NWRC internal report |
| Withers (m) | 0.95 [0.86-1.0] |
- |
NWRC internal report |
| Maximal horn length (m) | 0.78 |
0.82 |
NWRC internal report |
| Dental formula | 1.0/3; c0/1; pm 3/3; m 3/3 = 32 |
Harrison, 1968 | |
| REPRODUCTION | NWRC | Wild | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weaning (month) | 6 |
3-8 |
Bedin, pers. com. |
| Sexual maturity (month) | 13-18 females 7-12 males |
3-8 |
Blanvillain et al. 1997 Ancrenaz et al. 1998 |
| Calving Seasonality | Human managed |
Aseasonal, with peak during winter |
Strauss, 2002 |
| Mean Gestation Period (day) | 260±42 |
- |
Vié, 1996 |
| Mean Calving Interval (day) | 295±42 |
300±36 |
Vié, 1996 Strauss, 2002 Sempéré et al., 1996 |
| Young per Birth | 1 |
1 |
Sempéré et al., 1996 |
| Mean Oestrus Cycle Length (day) | 23.7±1.3 |
- |
Sempéré et al., 1996 |
| Mean Testosterone Cycle Length in Males (days) | 24.1±1.6 |
- |
Ancrenaz et al., 1998 |
| PHYSIOLOGY | NWRC | Wild | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Evaporative Water Loss (ml/day) | 870 (at 30ºC) |
- |
Williams et al., 2001 |
| Resting Metabolic Rate (kJ/day) | 9,000 (at 30ºC) |
- |
Williams et al., 2001 |
| Water Influx Rate (ml/day) | - |
3,500/1,300-2,300 (Spring/Summer) |
Williams et al., 2001 Ostrowski et al., 2002 |
| Field Metabolic Rate (kJ/day) | - |
22,000/11,000 (Spring/Summer) |
Williams et al., 2001 |
| LIFESTYLE | NWRC | Wild | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Organization | - | Mixed hierarchical herd | NWRC internal report |
| Mating System | Pairs selected for genetic management | Polygynous | NWRC internal report |
| Habitat | - | Sand dunes and steppe desert | |
| Density (/km²) | - | <0.02 | NWRC internal report |
| Main Predators | None | Human | |
| Diet | Rhode grass hay ad lib., supplementation with lucerne hay and pellets | Mixed-feeder predominantly grazer | Tear, 1997, Spalton, 1995 |
| Others | NWRC | Wild | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karyotype | 2n = 58 chromosomes |
Cribiu et al., 1989 | |
| Life Span | About 15 years (NWRC oldest living oryx born in 1980) | - | NWRC internal report |
| IUCN Status | Endangered. Criteria D |
IUCN website | |
| CITES Status | Appendix I |
CITES website | |