Gemsbok

[Lisbeth]

[nan]

wonderful

and in French : Oryx

[ExFmem]

wonderful

and in French : Oryx

nan, I edited the names to include the French one - those French people have such vivid imaginations

Some NICE pics showing up here. Thanks, all

[Flutterby]

Lovely pics here!

[ExFmem]

Size
Gemsbok are the largest species in the Oryx genus.
Males weigh between 220-300 kg and females weigh 100-200 kg
Shoulder height: ♂± 122 cm and ♀ ± 119 cm

Breeding
Gemsbok are polygynous. The resident bull of the herd mates with receptive females. Solitary territorial males are known to attempt to herd mixed or nursery herds onto their territories, thereby securing exclusive mating access to the females. Gemsbok reach sexual maturity after about two years.



Gemsbok are classified as "hiders", meaning the young are not seen present with the mother, but are hidden in the general vicinity in tall grass or shrubs for up to 6 weeks, with the mother returning to nurse the calf 2 to 3 times each day. After the period of about six weeks the calf is introduced to the herd. Usually only one calf is born.



Males are not reported to participate directly in parental care, so the feeding, sheltering, protection, and grooming of the young are all accomplished by the mother. As is the case with most bovids, the young are able to stand shortly after birth, and can move around with the mother as needed.

The young weigh between 9 and 15 kg at birth. At birth, calves are entirely brown in color. They develop the characteristic markings at about 3.5 months. At this point, the young are weaned.

Development of characteristic markings with age:







Gestation period 240 - 270 days
The female comes into heat soon after giving birth. The more frequent estrus cycles enable females to produce calves at 9-month intervals.

Lifespan
15 to 19 years

[Toko]

looks dangerous with the long-horned females

[Lisbeth]

Not often that one sees a gemsbok calf

[Bushveld Jock]

Lovely pics of the calves. Best chance to see them is on the 4x4 tracks in the dunes.

[Mel]

Seeing how they develop their markings when getting older is pretty interesting.

[Toko]

Oryx do dams, too