Highly Endangered Antelope: The Addax

Posted on August 4, 2024 by Charles Yallowitz

I don’t know where I stumbled onto this animal, but the Addax was sitting on my list.  It’s an antelope that was hunting a lot for its meat and fur.  Cattle farming has taken over a lot of their habitat as well. Though, one of the biggest causes is that they were casualties of both World Wars due to their range.  There are less than 500 left in the wild, which only survived because Addax can live in environments that are too harsh for humans.  Many zoos have breeding programs to help create more genetic diversity and work towards replenishing the species.

Here are some Addax facts:

  1. Both males and females have horns and shaggy manes.
  2. They are adapted to live in the Sahara desert and can traverse sandy areas, rocky regions, coastal plains, and grasslands.
  3. Addax have wide, flat hooves that allows them to walk on sand similar to a camel.
  4. Their pale coats reflect sunlight, which keeps them cool.
  5. Addax fur change color with the seasons to be lighter in summer and darker in the winter.
  6. They receive most of their moisture from the plants they eat.
  7. Their ability to conserve water results in dry feces and concentrated urine, so no usable water is passed.
  8. Herds can have 5-20 members with a dominant male.
  9. Females create a dominant hierarchy with the oldest being in charge.
  10. Gestation is 257-264 days and usually grants only one child.
  11. Their short legs make them very slow runners, so they can be caught by fast predators.
  12. Addax are hunted by humans, lions, cheetah, African wild dogs, and leopards.

Let’s look at some pictures and videos.

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About Charles Yallowitz

Charles E. Yallowitz was born, raised, and educated in New York. Then he spent a few years in Florida, realized his fear of alligators, and moved back to the Empire State. When he isn't working hard on his epic fantasy stories, Charles can be found cooking or going on whatever adventure his son has planned for the day. 'Legends of Windemere' is his first series, but it certainly won't be his last.
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13 Responses to Highly Endangered Antelope: The Addax

  1. coldhandboyack's avatar coldhandboyack says:
    August 4, 2024 at 8:40 am

    Pretty buggers. I knew they existed, but not much about them. Thanks.

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  2. robertawrites235681907's avatar robertawrites235681907 says:
    August 4, 2024 at 10:02 am

    Thanks, Charles, for sharing about these antelope. I do enjoy seeing antelope in the wild. Some of ours in southern Africa are endangered too.

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  3. DebyFredericks's avatar DebyFredericks says:
    August 5, 2024 at 10:32 am

    I like the shape of their horns, and the darker “mask” on their faces. What beautiful creatures.

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  4. V.M.Sang's avatar V.M.Sang says:
    August 5, 2024 at 11:22 am

    I saw something on TV about moving some critically endangered antelope to an uninhabited island. I think it must have been some of these, as they had many characteristics in common, like living in very dry places and getting most of their water from plants they ate. I can’t remember the name of them, though.

    I hope these lovely animals can survive.

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  5. Jennie's avatar Jennie says:
    August 7, 2024 at 7:29 am

    I have always wondered about their curved horns. They’re beautiful, but does the curve serve a purpose?

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