addax antelope

Fast Facts

Common name: Addax

Class: Mammalia

Order: Artiodactyla

Family: Bovidae

Genus species: Addax nasomaculatus (nasus - the nose, macula - a spot or mark)

Size: height: 95 to 115 cm (37.4-49.2 in.); head and body length 150 to 170 cm (59.1-66.9 in.)

Weight: 60 to 125 kg (132-275 lb.)

Description: both sexes have horns, mat of brown hair on forehead, rest of body grayish-white

Life Span: up to 20 years in managed environments

Gestation: 257 to 264 days

Habitat: desert, semi-desert

Diet: desert succulents, grasses and herbs, leaves of small bushes

Status: endangered by IUCN, listed on CITES Appendix II

Fun Facts

1. Addax possess broad, flat hooves with flat soles that help prevent them from sinking into the desert sand.
   
2. These desert antelopes' coat color changes from dark grayish-brown in winter to white in the summer.
   
3. Addax will dig depressions in the sand in which to rest. These are often located partly underneath boulders that give shade and protection from the wind and sun.
   
4. They rarely drink since they are able to get most of the water they need from the plants they eat.
   

Ecology and Conservation

Addax are nearly extinct in the wild, having been eliminated from much of their original range. These antelope have been hunted for their meat and skin. Since they are so heavily built they are not capable of great speeds and are easily overtaken by horses and dogs. Antelope are important to habitats as grazers and browsers. They are also important as prey for carnivores.

Bibliography

Parker, Sybil P. Grzimek's Encyclopedia: Mammals Vol. 5. New York: McGraw-Hill Publishing Company. 1990.

Nowak, Ronald M. Walker's Mammals of the World Fifth Ed. Vol. II. Baltimore, MD.: The John Hopkins University Press. 1991.

Spinage, C.A. The Natural History of Antelope. New York: Facts on File Publications. 1986.

Last Update 6/99

Return to Animal Bytes

SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Animal Information Database
www.seaworld.org / www.buschgardens.org

© 1998 by Busch Gardens, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.

Permission is granted by Busch Gardens for classroom teachers to make reprographic copies of worksheets for noncommercial use. This permission does not extend to copying for promotional purposes, creating new collective works, or resale. For more information write or call the Busch Gardens Education Department.