Scimitar-horned oryx
Scientific name: Oryx dammah
- How weight is recorded: Carcass weight
Field notes
Appearance
White to pale grey coat with russet-brown shoulders and neck. Both sexes bear long, curved horns; males are notably larger and more robust than females.
Size and weight
Males weigh 100–160 kg, females 70–110 kg. Body length 160–210 cm.
Habitat
Desert and semi-arid scrubland with sparse vegetation, shrubs, and scattered grasses. Altitude range from sea level to approximately 1,500 metres.
Distribution
Historically ranged across the Sahara from Mauritania to Egypt. Today occurs in fragmented populations, mainly in remote desert regions with minimal human settlement.
Diet
Grazes grass and herbs when available; browses shrubs, acacia leaves, and succulent plants including cactus fruits during dry periods.
Behaviour
Active primarily at dawn and dusk. Lives in small family groups or larger herds, typically led by a dominant bull. Undertakes long-distance migrations following rainfall patterns.
Hunting tips
Track animals via hoof prints and dung at water sources and grazing grounds. Stalk from downwind; oryx are alert and flee easily. Ridge-top approaches work well when animals feed in open terrain.
Carcass weight
This species is logged by carcass weight — the animal weighed dressed, the way hunting teams normally report it.
Where it is hunted
Listed as huntable in 1 country in Huntify.
Names in other languages
Current language: en
These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.