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Gemsbok / Gemsbuck / Oryx
Afrikaans name: Gemsbok
![Gemsbok in the Kgaligadi Game Reserve](images/01018-gemsbok-800a.jpg)
Gemsbok
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Oryx gazella
Interesting facts about Gemsbok
The Gemsbok is a great looking antelope that lives in the arid regions of South Africa. Other names for the Gemsbok are Gemsbuck and Oryx.
Gemsbok are about 1.2 metres high at the shoulder. Males can weigh up to 300 kg. Females may reach a maximum weight of around 200 kg. Both male and females have horns. These horns are around 85 cm in length.
Gemsbok are found in small to medium sized herds. Herds are led by a dominant male and consist of other males, females and juveniles.
They live in arid regions and do not need to drink water on a regular basis. They eat dry gress and the leaves of thorn bushes. Where water is scarce they eat melons, tubers and succulent plants.
Females can give birth to a calf every 9 months.
![Gemsbok in the Kgaligadi Game Reserve](images/01018-gemsbok-800b.jpg)
Gemsbok
Photo © Johan van Zyl
References and further reading
Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 226What Antelope is That? - Author: Paul Rose - Published: 1967 - Page: 45
Wild Ways - 2nd Edition - Author: Peter Apps - Published: 2000 - Page: 167
Tracks and Tracking in Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2000 - Page: 127
The Mammal Guide of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 2011 - Page: 32
The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa - Author: P. Briggs - Published: 2020 - Page: 332
The Living Deserts of Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Darry Lovegrove - Published: 2021 - Page: 184
The Living Deserts of Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Darry Lovegrove - Published: 2021 - Page: 87
The Living Deserts of Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Darry Lovegrove - Published: 2021 - Page: 111
Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 52
The Living Deserts of Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Darry Lovegrove - Published: 2021 - Page: 63
South African Animals in the Wild - Author: Anthony Bannister - Published: 1985 - Page: 20
Signs of the Wild - 3rd Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1986 - Page: 193
Signs of the Wild - 5th Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1996 - Page: 178
Questions and Answers - Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 26
Questions and Answers - Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 6
Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 1987 - Page: 131
Mammals of the Kruger and other National Parks - Author: The National Parks Board - Published: 1980 - Page: 118
Land Mammals of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Reay HN Smithers - Published: 1986 - Page: 186
Maberlys Mammals of Southern Africa - Revised edition - Author: Richard Goss - Published: 1986 - Page: 296
Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 416
Guide to the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park - Author: Gus Mills and Clem Haagner - Published: 1996 - Page: 19
First Field Guide to Animal Tracks of Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2003 - Page: 52
Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2001 - Page: 196
Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1997 - Page: 128
Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Published: 2004 - Page: 170
Chris and Tilde Stuarts Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 1st Edit - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1988 - Page: 196
An Introduction to the Larger Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Joanna Dalton - Published: 1987 - Page: 288
African Wildlife - A photographic safari - Author: Nigel and Wendy Dennis - Published: 1999 - Page: 56
A Field Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Southern and East African Wildlife - 3rd - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2000 - Page: 75
A Field Guide to the Mammals of Africa including Madagascar - Author: Theodor Haltenorth and Helmut Diller - Published: 1980 - Page: 67
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