Saberogaya antelope: photo, description, distribution

Antelope - a diverse group. It has species in size from a hare (dikdik), and there is also growth from a real bull (canna). And these animals live in completely different conditions. Some of them are able to survive in the arid desert, others - in the boundless steppes, and still others - in forests or savannah.

One of the most majestic and beautiful animals in Africa is precisely the antelope. In ancient times, among the Egyptians, they were sacrificial animals that were kept in special stalls. Then they came up with a special way to protect themselves from the long sharp antelope horns: they created a more curved shape in young animals with the help of special clamps.

In this article, a saber-biting African antelope will be considered . Judging by the ancient Egyptian frescoes and sculptures, she was a semi-domestic animal.

General information about the oryxes

Saberogy Oryx (antelope saberogaya, Saharan oryx) - all these are species of antelope of the genus of the Sulfur.

The height of the oryx at the withers is slightly more than 100 centimeters, and the body weight is about 200 kilograms. Their wool is very light, almost white, only the chest has a red-brown color. Antelopes of both sexes of this species have thin, very long and even horns (from 100 to 125 cm).

Modern saber-ogling antelope in its appearance is very similar to this animal.

Wild sugar oryx was common in the deserts and steppes of North Africa (the entire Sahara desert), where the herds numbered up to 70 individuals. Their main food was leaves, herbs and fruits. For several weeks they could live without water.

Their number was gradually decreasing due to hunting. The last wild oryx saberogy lived at the end of the twentieth century.

Saberogaya antelope: photo, description

Sablerogie antelopes (or horse) belong to the subfamily of the horned cloven-hoofed animals. They dwell on the African continent and on the Arabian Peninsula. Their second name is due to the fact that they resemble horses in size. Both sexes of this species have long, slightly curved horns. They are very beautiful animals.

With its physique and horns, the form of saber-ogly antelopes, as noted above, is similar to the ancient Oryx. Only their color is lighter and there are no dark streaks on the body. The adult male of this large animal reaches 120 centimeters in length, and the total mass of his body is about 200 kilograms. Females are slightly smaller.

Their short coat is rough. On the lower part of the neck, the hair is longer, and there is also a mane. White head with small spots of black in the eyes and forehead, profile resembles a bull.

Antelopes have huge eyes, catching even the weakest light in the dark. Well developed in them and the sense of smell, in connection with which hyenas and lions try to sneak up to the antelope from the lee.

The main distinctive feature of the antelope saber-horn is the shape of beautifully curved horns (about 1 meter) resembling a Turkish sword. There are horns both in the female and in the male.

Saberogaya antelope (males) in old age reaches 2 meters in length, and in height about one meter.

Spread

These beautiful animals are hand-held only at a young age, the grown ups are wild.

Lives antelope in the dry steppes and deserts of Central Africa. These animals do not seem to need water at all. During periods of drought, high individual mimosa bushes provide them with ample food.

Depending on the presence of vegetation, the saber-horned antelope migrates.

Lifestyle

Activity of this animal is observed in the early morning, in the evening and less often at night. During the hottest hours of the day, the antelope hides in the shade.

Animals are kept, as a rule, not very large herds or pairs, most often there are mothers with calves. Rarely, but you can meet them and in the amount of 30-40 pieces per pack. Antelopes are very careful and fearful, so they can be seen very rarely.

It should be noted that they are not as cowardly as other species. In a state of irritation, they are able to attack the enemy and inflict serious wounds on their long and sharp horns. It happens that they fight off even leopards and lions.

They feed on fresh leaves, tearing them from the bushes, standing on their hind legs.

Currently, the saber-hogging antelope has been preserved in a rather limited amount. Both meat and skins of these animals find wide application. Long antelope antlers are used by the natives to grind out the tips of the spikes.

Today, this species of animals is threatened with extinction.