The Gemsbok (Oryx gazella).
It is a large antelope in the Oryx genus. It is native to the arid regions of Southern Africa, such as the Kalahari Desert. The current gemsbok population in South Africa is estimated at 373,000.
The name “gemsbok” in English is derived from Afrikaans gemsbok, which itself is derived from the Dutch name of the male chamois, gemsbok.
Gemsbok are the largest species in the Oryx genus. They stand about 1.2 m (3.9 ft.) at the shoulder. The body length can vary from 190 to 240 cm (75 to 94 in) and the tail measures 45 to 90 cm (18 to 35 in). Male Gemsbok can weigh between 220 and 300 kg (490 and 660 lb.), while females weigh 100–210 kg (220–460 lb.).
Gemsbok are widely hunted for their spectacular horns that average 85 cm (33 in) in length. From a distance, the only outward difference between males and females is their horns, and many hunters mistake females for males each year. In males, these horns are perfectly straight, extending from the base of the skull to a slight outward and rearward angle. Females have longer, thinner horns with a slight outward and rearward curve in addition to their angle. But don’t always believe what you read…..
Female gemsbok use their horns to defend themselves and their offspring from predators, while males primarily use their horns to defend their territories from other males.
Gemsbok live in herds of about 10-40 animals, which consist of a dominant male, a few non-dominant males, and females. They are mainly desert-dwelling and do not depend on drinking to supply their physiological water needs. They can reach running speeds of up to 60 km/h (37 mph).
In 1969, the New Mexico State Department of Game and Fish decided to introduce gemsbok to the Tularosa Basin in the United States.
Forget those ones…. here are some from the Park named after them.. The Kalahari Gemsbok Park….
Cool shots!
Best to stay away from those horns. They could really do some damage!
As many a Lion has found out…
I find this animal so beautiful, especially the drawings in its face. You captured it so well. 🙂
We call them the painted antelope… almost looks like they go for a quick body paint every day…
Foto fantastiche.Sono animali bellissimi, peccato che per le corna vengano uccisi…
Thanks Pat.. I do agree.. they should rather take photos of them than shoot them…
Wonderful set Bulldog! I love the closeups best I think. Such majestic animals.
Thank you … got so many photos was unsure what to use… the painted buck give one so many different opportunities…
Stunning photos of a beautiful animal.
Thank you…
These are such amazing animals! They are just stunning and incredible….if this is what you do when your vision isn’t perfect, what the heck are we going to see when you ‘SEE’ better???
I have a person to compete with… Suzanne I think her name is… she is even threatening to come to Africa… thank you they did come out well…
stunning shots.
Thanks
Thank you for delicately pointing out the male! LOL 😀 These are beautiful creatures. I really wish people wouldn’t hunt them (I just don’t understand the reasons behind hunting – other than the indigenous tribes hunting for food)…
The point out was necessary, as the horns on that bull are the shape of a females horns… makes a difficult selection when far off… I agree why hunt such a beautiful antelope… but then the farmers of wild animals need the income… and the Americans are paying approx $2500 for one that converts to R 22 500 a lot of money…
Amazing shots as always. I’ve read all the comments & agree with them all but I can’t get the testicle eating part out of my head. Yuk, the thought!
Thank you… that should put anyone off shooting a Gemsbok…
Okay, someone had to say it: these are quite the horny little beasties, aren’t they? 😉
Now that’s why I follow you… just for my daily dose of laughter.. thank you…
I aim to please! 🙂
Stunning …. those horns !!!! And the patterns on them – some stunning animal. And well hanged too *smile
There is no really difference between male and female – they look the same. Beautiful animal.
Thank you.. it is a very difficult animal to see the difference in sex… the first photo shows a male with horns like a female… what now…
I saw your ring markings *smile
They sure have beautiful markings. Looks like they’d be a meaty game animal if there were enough of them to support hunting, but I think there’s probably too much of that already, out of control, over your way. I’m not against hunting at all, but I’m definitely for conservation first.
The only thing that will hunt these are the lion… outside the Park I’m afraid the money involved is enormous.. The American hunters pay big money to shoot in Africa… can’t blame the land owners for wanting to make a living… Me I would prefer the camera to the gun… did shoot when I was younger but not interested now…
What beautiful animals and beautiful photos.
Thank you.. one of my favourites…
Those horns could really cause a bit of damage. Love the pics again, Bulldog 🙂
They have been known to go through the doors of ford F250 and into the legs of hunters… as one comment explains…
Wonderful photos again. They are such magnificent creatures, and those horns are awesome weapons for sure. 🙂 That running speed is amazing! Thanks for the red circle, or I would never have known. 😆
It was a bone of contention so a message was needed to be sent… thanks they are magnificent animals.. such beauty…
Here in the Kalahari where these guys come from, we actually have hunters with Ford F250’s who drive up next to them while they are running, and then they catch them by the long horns…. several of these “catchers” have lost their legs due to these horns that stick right through the metal doors, and into the drivers leg….while driving….
Now there’s a comment from one that knows the beauty of these antelope… and to the hunters with the horn through the leg… good, you should leave them to beautify our world… Thanks Son for the comment… now my blog is really blessed…
Stunning and look so well fed too, beautiful shots. Interesting about the horns and speed, good grief, who could imagine them speeding along the speed of a car, wow!
There condition is stunning for such a barren area… and I do believe a few Lion have met their match at the point of those horns… but at that speed I’m not sure a Lion would keep up…
Scary horns!
Don’t want one of those where the “sun don’t shine…” could be very painful…
Great photos, why would New Mexico want to introduce a non-native specie there? This never seems to work and always a bad idea. These are attractive animals and those horns are very regal!
I agree john.. and they take them away from their natural predators so they start to loose a bit of their natural ways… The introduction was a compromise between those who wanted to preserve nature and those who wanted to use it for profit and promotion. Ninety-three were released from 1969 to 1977, with the current population estimated to be around 3,000 specimens.
This I found on the internet..
Africa is full of exotic looking creatures – well to me anyway!
I agree with you.. everything we have in the animal world is exotic looking.. that’s what keeps me interested… I love these animals have have more than 200 photos of them… and they are all beautiful…
They sure are and your beautiful photos really illustrate that! I think Australia probably has the weirdest looking animals though eh? kangaroos, all them creatures with pockets!
Ok, you got me laughing again – love how you circled parts to clarify for us LOL!!! These are really beautiful creatures. It’s kind of like they are a combination of a horse, a cow, and a zebra, with the huge horns thrown in for good measure. They certainly have great modelling skills too :).
Well I was scared that the horn shape might confuse you as it does so many… we all thought it was a female and argued the point… the photo clearly shows it isn’t.. hence the circle of fame… the custom of hunters .. when you shoot your first male gemsbok, you have to eat those raw… I’ve never shot one except with my camera, so I’m free of the custom… LOL
Ewwwww, I think I just lost my appetite :).
I would think that would put any hunter off shooting these beauties… but it doesn’t…