Gemsbok: Oryx gazella
Afrikaans: Gemsbok; Tswana: Kukama; Nama/Damara: Gaeb; German: Spiessbock; isiNdebele: inkukhama, ikukhama; isiXhosa: inkukhama; siSwati: inyamatane; Xitsonga: mhala; Tshivenda: noni; and in French : Oryx
Distribution in South Africa
Gemsbok or Oryx were traditionally found in the northwestern and western parts of South Africa, which is the Northern Cape, Kalahari, North West and Western Cape.
In the present day, due to commercial game farming and through breeding and selling, they occur throughout South Africa on game farms. There are no Gemsbok in the Kruger National Park, but they can be seen in a number of other parks especially in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, where they are its emblem.
Habitat
Open savannah, dry plains and desert grassland
Gemsbok biology
The gemsbok is remarkably adapted to its arid environment. It conserves water within its body by lying in the shade during the hottest part of the day, and restricts activity to early mornings, late afternoons or the cool nights.
The gemsbok does not waste precious moisture on panting or sweating, but instead allows its body temperature to rise by a few degrees above normal on hot days. They are able to increase their body temperature to 45 degrees from 35.7 degrees C in order to delay evaporative cooling.
Diet - Herbivores
They are mainly grazers (grass eaters) but also eat pods of the Camel thorn (Acacia erioloba), small shrubs, and bushes. They dig up roots and bulbs, tsammas, and cucumbers from which they get moisture and thus do not need water often. They are fond of mineral licks.
Gemsbok may drink if water is available but can survive days or even weeks without it.
Plants growing in arid areas inhabited by oryx have also adapted to the hot, dry conditions and either store water or have mechanisms to prevent excess loss. Plants collect dew, gradually releasing it during the hotter parts of the day. Some plants increase their water content by 25 to 40 percent, so when oryx feed late at night or early in the morning, it provides them with both food and water.
Socialisation
Gemsbok are gregarious animals congregating in groups of 50 to 200, although the average number is 14. In larger groups you will usually find more females than males, but herds are mixed. A large proportion of males remain solitary and defend a territory.
Gemsbok
Re: Gemsbok - Animal of the Month: November 2015
One of the most beautiful animals out there!
ExFmem
ExFmem
Re: Gemsbok - Animal of the Month: November 2015
Let's see some of those great pics I know you all have stashed away
Toko....just got back from vacation, so somewhat late on the topic, but glad to be back on AW, missed ya'll.
Toko....just got back from vacation, so somewhat late on the topic, but glad to be back on AW, missed ya'll.
Re: Gemsbok - Animal of the Month: November 2015
The skin on a bull's neck and shoulders is 6 mm thick to protect against these blows.
Re: Gemsbok - Animal of the Month: November 2015
Not all from this most recent vacation (2015), but from different trips through the years...more to come.Toko wrote:Are these from your vacation?
Re: Gemsbok - Animal of the Month: November 2015
They are brave and don't mind sharing a waterhole with elephants!
Re: Gemsbok - Animal of the Month: November 2015
Great choice ExFmem and some stunning pics.
Nice ones with th ellies at the waterhole Toko.
Will go and dig out some of the ones I took in Namibia earlier this year.
Nice ones with th ellies at the waterhole Toko.
Will go and dig out some of the ones I took in Namibia earlier this year.
Dewi
What is the good of having a nice house without a decent planet to put it on? (H D Thoreau)
What is the good of having a nice house without a decent planet to put it on? (H D Thoreau)
Re: Gemsbok - Animal of the Month: November 2015
Heading to the waterhole in Etosha.
Dewi
What is the good of having a nice house without a decent planet to put it on? (H D Thoreau)
What is the good of having a nice house without a decent planet to put it on? (H D Thoreau)
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Re: Gemsbok - Animal of the Month: November 2015
En route to Nossob
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge