Point d’intérêt
Scimitar-horned oryx
A pale antelope with long horns curving backwards.
Langue du contenu
The horns of the scimitar-horned oryx are long and curve back towards its body. Their shape resembles a curved sword, giving the species its name. Both sexes have horns, although females’ horns tend to be more slender and males’ more robust.
The coat is mainly white, with a reddish-brown neck and chest and darker facial markings. Calves initially look different: they are born with a yellowish coat, and their distinctive markings develop later.
The species’ natural habitat is associated with dry and semi-dry lands along the southern edge of the Sahara. Oryx are herbivores, feeding on grasses, herbs, roots and buds. Their movements in search of fresh vegetation follow rainfall.
Conservation has brought oryx back to the wild after they became extinct there. Reintroduction means returning a species to its natural environment. Following these efforts, its IUCN Red List category changed in 2023: it is no longer classified as Extinct in the Wild.
Pour les enfants
An oryx has two long, curved horns. They look like curved swords called scimitars, which give this species its name. Both males and females have horns. Its pale body contrasts with a reddish-brown neck and chest.
This oryx comes from dry lands along the southern edge of the Sahara. It eats plants: grasses, herbs, roots and buds. The animals move towards places where rain has brought fresh growth. The species once disappeared from the wild, but people succeeded in returning it to nature. This is called reintroduction. In 2023, its conservation category changed: it was no longer considered extinct in the wild.
Question 1 sur 2