Gemsbok (Oryx gazella)
A large antelope with striking black and white markings on the face and legs, black side stripes on the flanks and a long black tail. Bulls measure 1.2m at the shoulders and attain a mass of 240 Kg. Both bulls and cows have horns. The male horns are shorter and stockier than the female horns.
Gemsbok mostly feed on nutritious leaves, grasses and herbs. During the dry season they feed on flowers and will also browse for food. To supplement water requirements gemsbok dig for succulents and extensively eat tsama melons.
The behaviour of this species is geared to energy and water conservation. In the heat of the day they will lie-up in the shades of trees. Where shade is not available they will orientate themselves to present as little as possible of their body surface to the sun. Lone bulls are common and have been known to kill attacking lions by impaling them with their strong horns.
This like the cape buffalo is a tenacious animal… and have been known to attack predators that prey on their young, as demonstrated in this video clip, don’t give up on the clip, the young survives… here’s some photos of them in the Kalahari desert…
The Photographic Journey of bulldog. 
amazing photos! those horns look very lethal, incredibly long.
They are lethal as a few lion have found out the hard way… but such a graceful and regal antelope…
I am excited just to see a glimpse of the Kalahari! What a rich and exciting landscape! Incredible antelope photos…beautiful animals!
The Kalahari is a landscape all of its own… we are going there over the Christmas period… so I will be capturing pictures of the unusual landscapes associated with it… post a plenty next year…
Beautiful creatures! And the video is great too 🙂
Thanks glad you enjoyed…
Beautiful pics. They must be quite the sight in their habitat. Nothing so exotic around where I live, only raccons, bobcats, coyotes, the odd stray bear, and a beagle 😉
Well one thing I’d love to capture with a camera, raccoon s, bobcats, coyotes and of course the odd stray bear… lol yes we are lucky to have a very diverse cross section of animals to photo… just one of the benefits of living in Africa…
Those are one of the most exquisite animals I have ever seen. In that first image, it almost looks like they lined up and posed for you. Great job.
Thank you… they are one of the more regal of the antelope.. almost with an attitude…
They look so proud of themselves as they should, they are gorgeous creatures!
I love the top pic.
I like the top one too… they just seem to pose for you…
I used to love buying this animals on Zoo Tycoon, now I actually know a bit about them! It’s weird the males horns are shorter than the female, nature usual would say otherwise.
I think the females need them as protection for their young… whilst the males run for their lives… did you watch the video… that mother needed them…
Oh, no I didn’t watch the video but that does make since. Thanks!
Amazing video. I’m glad it had a happy ending. I know often times it doesn’t. What a beautiful animal the antelope is. So are the cheetahs.
It is almost a tragic event when one has to die for the survival of the cheetah, and I agree the cheetah is such a beautiful cat who looses a lot of their food to lazy Lion… but I still like it when one gets away… the underdog won for a change…
All these different species. Nature sure is imaginative. I wonder if they ever get those horns stuck in things unintentionally… 😉
Funny I have often wondered when mating if the female has not accidentally given her suitor a painful gab when he mounts… considering the stories of Lion jumping on their backs to kill them ending up themselves impaled on the end of these Sabres…
Fabulous pics, once again. 🙂 Those horns are sooooo long. I wouldn’t like to be on the receiving end.
I agree… but they are so Regal… and almost walk with an attitude of grace… beautiful…
Beautiful animals with scary horns! It is so cool you get to see zoo animals without the zoo part 🙂
I have been to a few zoos and it rips my heart apart to see these animals compounded (imprisoned)… I know they have their place for education and breeding, but I prefer them in the wild…
I love ‘traveleing’ with you. Your pictures are amazing. Thank you for your time in sharing.
Thanks for accompanying me Genie… that’s why I never feel lonely… cause I now always have all of you in my mind when taking photos…
These images are AWESOME! Thanks for showing me something that I didn’t know existed :)…..Couldn’t watch the video…I have a hard time watching them 🙂 :)…silly me…always ready to cry over them 🙂
Nature can be cruel… and I know the cats have to kill to survive… but when I see a video that shows the animal beating the cat I always cheer… it might be something about me always shouting for the underdog…
I have seen Lion take down antelope, cheetah as well, even got a Leopard on its kill, but never been lucky to see the underdog win…
There is a set of photos of a crocodile grabbing a Zebra by the foot… the Zebra bit the croc’s eye and the croc let go… now there’s a win I’d have liked to see…
Wow! I didn’t know ANYTHING could get the better of a croc…!
Just goes to show… it’s also on video… and cheer for the winners in these… no gore just an escape… you should watch it..
LOL!, I can barely stand to watch the chipmunks escape from the squirrels, here in the backyard….
Yes Linda is much the same as you… an eagle swooped down right in front of us and caught a dove… she wanted the dove to get away… the fact it was already dead and would probably end up feeding a chick mean’t nothing… but then she so hates things like snakes that if she sees one in a cartoon she falls on her back, trying to hide…
LOL!
Your distance speaks volumes about your respect for their attitude.
Thank you Frank…
Those are wonderful photos bulldog! Are these they types of views you get on a daily basis? Amazing!
With a shortish trip I can get to see animals in the wild everyday… that’s life in South Africa… not every one wants to, but I do…
Nice touch adding the video link. I sure wouldn’t want to mess with those horns :).
No way.. being armed with those two rapier makes him a dangerous opponent…
They always look so lovely and smooth and healthy. Lovely beasts.
Betty as I’m sure you know, as I’m assuming you’ve seen them in the wild… to me they are the most Regal of antelope and compete easily with the Sables…
Pretty animal!
Thanks pal… its a magnificent antelope to see in nature…
interesting shots
Thank you…