Beisa Oryx

Beisa Oryx-0 Beisa-oryx-1-.jpg Oryx
These are non-jumping antelopes, found in the arid areas of Somalia and eastern Africa. Beisa Oryx can tolerate long periods of heat by raising their body temperatures to up to 116 degrees Fahrenheit. This causes the heat to leave their bodies for the surrounding cooler air. Thus, allowing minimum loss of water due to sweating or evaporation.

Enemies and Threats
Some of the Besa Oryx are being hunted in Africa. Tribal people used to kill them for food because of their meaty belly. In the 1500s royalty used their horns as jewelery and were convinced that the were unicorn horns.

Reproduction
A female leaves the herd to give birth and hides the calf for 2 or 3 weeks, visiting a few times a day to nurse it. The newborn is an inconspicuous brown color. The black markings begin to appear when the calf is ready to return to herd with its mother. Calves are suckled for 6 to 9 months and reach maturity at 18 to 24 months. Most young males migrate out of their natal group to join other groups.