Antelopes are a diverse group. It has species the size of a hare (dikdik), and there is also the growth of a real bull (eland). And these animals live in completely different conditions. Some of them are able to survive in the arid desert, others in the endless steppes, and still others in forests or savannas.
Antelopes are one of the most majestic and beautiful animals in Africa. In ancient times, among the Egyptians, they were sacrificial animals, which were kept in special stalls. At the same time, they came up with a special way to protect against the long sharp horns of antelopes: they created a more curved shape in young animals using special clips.
This article will consider the saber-horned African antelope. Judging by the numerous ancient Egyptian frescoes and sculptures, she was a semi-domestic animal.
General information about oryx
Saber-horned oryx (saber-horned antelope, Saharan oryx) are all species of oryx antelopes.
The height of the oryx at the withers is a little more than 100 centimeters, and the body weight is about 200 kilograms. Their coat is very light, almost white,only the chest has a red-brown color. Antelopes of both sexes of this species have thin, very long and even horns (from 100 to 125 cm).
The modern saber-horned antelope is very similar in appearance to this animal.
Wild Saharan oryxes were common in the deserts and steppes of North Africa (the entire Sahara Desert), where herds numbered up to 70 individuals. Their main food was leaves, herbs and fruits. For several weeks they could live without water.
Their numbers gradually decreased due to hunting. The last wild saber-horned oryx lived at the end of the twentieth century.
Saber-horned antelope: photo, description
Saber-horned antelopes (or horse) belong to the subfamily of bovid hoofed animals. They live on the African continent and on the Arabian Peninsula. Their second name comes from the fact that in size they resemble horses. Both sexes of this species have long, slightly curved back horns. These are very beautiful animals.
With its physique and horns, the species of saber-horned antelopes, as noted above, is similar to the ancient oryx. Only their coloration is lighter and there are no dark stripes on the body. An adult male of this large animal reaches 120 centimeters in length, and its total body weight is about 200 kilograms. Females are slightly smaller.
Short coat they have rough. On the lower part of the neck, the hair is longer, and there is also a mane. White head with small black spots near the eyes and on the forehead, profilelooks bullish.
Antelopes have huge eyes that catch even the faintest light in the dark. They also have a well-developed sense of smell, in connection with which hyenas and lions try to sneak up on the antelope from the leeward side.
The main distinguishing feature of the saber-horned antelope is the shape of beautifully curved horns (about 1 meter), resembling a Turkish saber. Both the female and the male have horns.
Saber-horned antelope (males) in old age reaches 2 meters in length, and about one meter in height.
Distribution
These beautiful animals are tame only at a young age, matured run wild.
The antelope lives in the dry steppes and deserts of Central Africa. These animals do not seem to need water at all. During periods of drought, tall individual mimosa bushes provide them with ample food.
Depending on the presence of vegetation, the saber-horned antelope migrates.
Lifestyle
The activity of this animal is observed in the early morning, evening and less often at night. During the day, during the hottest time, the antelope hides in the shade.
Animals are usually kept in not very large herds or pairs, most often there are mothers with calves. Rarely, but you can meet them in an amount of 30-40 pieces in a flock. Antelopes are very cautious and shy, so they are rarely seen.
It should be noted that they are not as cowardly as other species. In a state of irritation, they are able to pounce on the enemy and inflict serious wounds with their long and sharp horns. It happens that they even fight off leopards and lions.
They feed on fresh leaves, picking them from the bushes, standing on their hind legs.
Currently, the saber-horned antelope has been preserved in rather limited numbers. Both meat and skins of these animals are widely used. The long antelope horns are used by the natives to turn the tips of their peaks.
Today, this animal species is under threat of extinction.
