The Scimitar-horned oryx is found in the desert to semidesert region of Africa known as the “Great Steppe.” This area is a strip of arid grassland extending from Senegal to central Sudan, which borders the southern edge of the Sahara Desert.
The Scimitar-horned oryx is found in barren steppes of desert to semidesert environments.
The Scimitar-horned oryx, like other oryxes, has a black and and white face mask. However, in this species the black tends to fade to a brownish color. Their basic color is white with rusty brown necks and chests. Soms specimens have brown bands on their flanks along with a rusty brown spot outlined on the thigh. Like all orxyes, calves are born with yellow coats and lack distinguishing marks which appear later in life. The Scimitar-horned oryx is average in size compared to the larger East African oryx or the smaller Arabian oryx. Average length is 5.5 ft (1.7 m) with a shoulder height of about 3.8 ft (1.2 m)and an average weight of 148 lbs . It is the only oryx whose horns curve backwards. The horns average about 40 inches (1 m), but lengths of 50 inches (1.2 m) or more have been recorded. Both sexes have horns and, like other oryxes, the female’s tend to be more slender.
Courting is done through the means of a mating circle. During this ritual, the male and female stand parallel to one another facing opposite directions. They then circle around one another until the cow allows the male to mount from behind. HOwever, if the female is not ready to mate, she can run away and circle in the reverse direction. Once the female oryx is impregnated, gestation lasts between 8 and 8.5 months. There is only one calf per birth, weighing an average of 20 to 33 lbs (9 to 15 kg).
Orxyes usually travel in herds ranging in size from 2 to 40. Most often in any particular herd there will be a dominant or alpha bull. Usually these bulls provide the guidance for the herd as to when it will move and where. They retain tight control over marching formation and chase down any stragglers with persistence. Unlike other oryxes, solitary male Scimitar-horned oryxes are seldom seen. Male oryxes often engage in fights. However, these confrontations are well-choreographed and seldom end in bloodshed, unless there is strong competition for vital resources. Fencing matches follow a similar pattern as the mating circles, with the inferior male lowering his head to the dominant one, much like the cow would to the male.
The Scimitar-horned oryx is herbivorous, feeding on annual grasses, herbs, juicy roots, buds, and when water is scarce, fruits and vegetables. Like most inhabitants of arid environments it is subject to unpredictable and variable amounts of precipitation. Because of their great nomadic ability, the Scimitar-horned oryx will travel many miles in search of new new green grass which sprouts up quickly after sudden down pours. Though they tend to stay in small groups of about 40, when food is scarce and concentrated they can form herds of more than a hundred.
