What kind of animal is the Arabian Oryx? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. As you can probably imagine from the name Arabian Oryx, it is an animal that can be found in desert areas and dry plains from the Middle East to the Arabian Peninsula. They are also designated as an endangered species.
What is Arabian Oryx? Basic Stats
The Arabian oryx is a mammalian animal classified as an even-toed ungulate in the Bovidae family of the order Artiodactyla. Its scientific name is Oryx leucoryx, and its English name is Arabian oryx. Its body length is 160-180cm, its weight is 65-90kg, and its height is 80-100cm. The list of information is as follows.
| Japanese（和名） | アラビアオリックス |
| English（英名） | Arabian oryx |
| scientific name(学名) | Oryx leucoryx |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、Artiodactyl、 Bovidae、Oryx 哺乳綱、偶蹄目、ウシ科、オリックス属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | VULNERABLE |
| Length（体長） | 160～180cm |
| Weight（体重） | 65～90kg |
Taxonomic position
The Arabian oryx is a large herbivorous mammal belonging to the bovidae family, an antelope highly adapted to the desert environment.
- ドメイン：真核生物（Eukaryota）
- 界：動物界（Animalia）
- 門：脊索動物門（Chordata）
- 亜門：脊椎動物亜門（Vertebrata）
- 綱：哺乳綱（Mammalia）
- 目：偶蹄目（Artiodactyla）
- 亜目：反芻亜目（Ruminantia）
- 科：ウシ科（Bovidae）
- 亜科：レイヨウ亜科（Antilopinae）
- 属：オリックス属（Oryx）
- 種：アラビアオリックス（Oryx leucoryx）
Habitat
The Arabian oryx is found throughout the Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula.
① Geographic Distribution (Where are they found?)
Original Natural Distribution
Arabian Peninsula
Saudi Arabia
Oman
United Arab Emirates
Jordan
Southern Iraq (Past)
👉 A typical Middle Eastern desert animal.
② Current Distribution (Important)
The Arabian Oryx
went extinct in the wild in 1972. However, due to subsequent breeding in zoos and conservation facilities,
and planned reintroductions, wild populations have now recovered in the following areas:
Oman (Arabian Oryx Sanctuary)
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Jordan
*All of these locations are primarily within protected areas and managed facilities.
③ Habitat (What kind of place is it?)
Typical habitats
Desert
Semi-desert
Gravel desert (stony plain)
Dry grassland with scattered shrubs
🌵 Commonalities:
Extremely little rainfall
High daytime temperatures (over 40°C)
Sparse vegetation
④ Desert adaptations (directly related to habitat)
The Arabian oryx is an organism adapted to extremely dry environments.
Even in environments with little water…
Can survive for long periods without drinking water
Hydrates with moisture in plants
Active at night and early morning to avoid overheating
👉 Habitat = Can survive in a “waterless world.”
What are its characteristics? What kind of creature is it?
The Arabian oryx is white or grayish white, with dark brown tips on its limbs. Both males and females have horns, which are 70-100 cm long. It is said that the Arabian oryx is the model for the unicorn because of its horns. Its ears are narrow. The Arabian oryx prefers desert areas and lives in harsh conditions, so it is calm and does not waste energy. During the day, it digs a shallow depression under a tree to rest.
① Physical Characteristics (Very Iconic)
Body Length: 150-170cm
Weight: 70-90kg
Body Color:
Almost pure white
Reflects the strong desert sun
Facial Markings:
Black markings around the eyes and nose
Horns:
Both males and females have them
Long, thin, and almost straight (around 70cm)
Spear-like shape
👉 Their most distinctive features are their “white body, black mask, and straight horns.”
② Body Structure Perfectly Suited to the Desert
Highly Resistant to Heat
Raises body temperature to a certain extent to prevent water evaporation
Developed nasal passages to regenerate moisture
Sunlight-reflecting coat color
➡ “Desert-ready” in appearance.
③ Personality/Temperament
Gentle and calm
Not nervous
Cooperative in herds
However, they are highly alert in times of danger
👉 “Quiet, patient, and restrained.”
④ Social (group animals)
Small groups (5-15 individuals)
Most groups are female-dominated
Young males may also be solitary
➡ Not completely solitary, but moderately social.
⑤ Behavioral Characteristics
Active at dawn, dusk, and night
Rests in the shade during the day
Moves actively after rain
Excellent sense of smell (can detect rain)
What is its personality like?
The Arabian oryx is very gentle because it lives in a very harsh environment. It does not form very large groups, and lives in groups of around 10, so it is very cooperative.
① Basic Personality
Very calm
Doesn’t run around unnecessarily
Doesn’t overreact to stimuli
Minimizes energy expenditure
👉 “Quietly endure” type.
② Gentle but not timid
Low aggressiveness
Doesn’t panic easily
But has a high ability to sense danger
➡ Intelligent and keeps a distance.
③ Highly cautious
Excellent sense of sight and smell
Detects suspicious activity early
Cooperates as a group when danger approaches
👉 In the desert, “early detection” is crucial.
④ Personality within the group
Cooperative in nature
There is a clear hierarchy, but they are calm
Fighting is minimal
➡ Low tension within the group.
⑤ Male Personality (Slight Differences)
Slightly more aggressive during breeding season
Threatens and engages in skirmishes with horns
Serious fighting is rare
👉 Mostly “show fighting.”
What is its ecology like?
The Arabian oryx can eat grass, tree buds, underground stems, roots, fruits, etc. It reproduces viviparously. From spring to summer, it forms a harem consisting of one male and a dozen females. Males will butt their horns and fight over females. The gestation period is 240 days, and they can give birth to one baby at a time. The lactation period is four months, and the lifespan is about 20 years.
① Social Structure (Living in Groups)
Small to Medium-Sized Groups (5-15 Individuals)
Females and Their Offspring Are the Mainstay
Mature Males Live Alone or in Small Groups
Few Fights Within the Group
👉 A Peaceful Society that Values Stability
② Behavioral Rhythms (Daily Lifestyle)
Crepuscular to Nocturnal
Active in the Early Morning, Evening, and Night
Rest During the Day
Spend Time Staying Still in the Shade of Rocks or Shrubs
Intentionally Raises Body Temperature to Suppress Sweating
➡ Heat Protection is the Top Priority
③ Home Range and Movement
Home Range: Dozens to Hundreds of km²
Non-Sedentary
Move by Smell of Rain
Eat Grass in Bulk After Rain
👉 Nomadic, Traveling Through the Desert
④ Diet (What do they eat?)
Completely herbivorous
Dryland grasses
Shrubs
Succulents
Roots/bulbs (may be dug up)
🌱 Plant moisture is their primary water source
→ Can survive for long periods without drinking water.
⑤ Relationship with water (very important)
Can survive without water for weeks to months
Minimizes water loss within the body
Urine is highly concentrated
➡ The central theme of their ecology is “water conservation.”
⑥ Reproduction
Breeding season: Varies by region (usually after the rainy season)
Gestation period: Approximately 8.5-9 months
Litter size: Usually one calf
Calves are hidden in the grass for several weeks
👉 Although they give birth to small calves, this strategy increases their survival rate.
Do they have any natural enemies?
The natural enemies of the Arabian oryx are leopards and wolves.
About Arabian Oryx Calves
A key feature of Arabian Oryx calves (young ones) is that they are quietly and carefully raised to survive in the harsh desert environment.
Let’s explain them step by step, from their appearance to their developmental process.
① A calf immediately after birth
Birth time: Varies by region (usually after the rainy season)
Litter size: Usually only one calf
Birth weight: Approximately 10-15kg
Coat color:
Sandy to light brown
Not as white as adult calves
Horns:
None at birth
Small horns begin to grow after a few months
👉 They look similar to a light brown calf.
② Behavior immediately after birth (hiding strategy)
Able to stand up shortly after birth
However, they do not immediately join the herd
Hid in the shade of grass or shrubs
➡ This is an important survival strategy to avoid being detected by predators.
③ Relationship with Mother
Mother is solely responsible for raising the pup
Feeding is short and infrequent
Mother frequently supervises from a distance
👉 To minimize odors and movement.
④ Growth and Dietary Changes
2-3 weeks: Begins nibbling on grass
3-4 months: Shifts to plant-based diet
Weaning: Around 4-6 months
➡ Very early independence.
⑤ Joining the pack
Joins the pack within a few weeks to a month of birth
Behavior with pups of the same age
Learns running and guard behavior
⑥ Pup Personality
Very docile
Does not vocalize unnecessarily
Minimizes movement
Closely observes the mother’s behavior
👉 “Quiet learner.”
Is the Arabian Oryx an endangered species?
The Arabian Oryx is designated as an endangered species. This is entirely due to humans, and the biggest problem is not only overhunting for their horns and fur, but also the destruction of their habitat, which has led to a rapid decline in the number of individuals that can live. The current population is said to be only 1,000, and conservation policies are being implemented in Arab countries.
✅ International Status (IUCN)
Status: VU (Vulnerable)
→ “At high risk of extinction, but less severe than the more serious Endangered classification.”
🐾 Historical Trends
1970s: Completely extinct in the wild.
1980s onwards: Reintroductions from captive populations led to population recovery.
1986: Reclassified as Endangered.
2011: For the first time, the species was upgraded from “Extinct in the Wild” to “Vulnerable.”
🐂 Current Population and Distribution
Reintroduced to the Wild: Approximately 1,000-1,200 individuals (mature individuals may be even less severe).
Captive populations: Several thousand individuals (approximately 6,000-7,000 individuals) worldwide, supporting their reintroduction into the wild.
Reintroduction areas include Saudi Arabia, Oman, the UAE, Jordan and Israel.
Can you keep an Arabian Oryx as a pet?
Arabian Oryx is designated as an endangered species and is listed in the Washington Convention, and international trade is restricted, making it extremely difficult for ordinary people to keep it as a pet. Take one to a zoo or somewhere similar.
① Can I keep one legally?
❌ It’s not legal for the general public to keep them as pets.
The Arabian Oryx is
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
Listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
→ International trade is generally prohibited
In many countries, including Japan,
Personal import
Keeping one as a pet
is virtually impossible.
⭕ Where is keeping one permitted?
Only in public and quasi-public facilities, such as the following:
Zoos
Safari parks
National and local conservation facilities
Breeding centers for species preservation
👉 The premise is conservation and genetic management, rather than “exhibition.”
② Why keeping one at home is “unacceptable” from an ecological perspective
Even if legal,
Arabian Oryxes cannot be kept at home.
🏜 They require a huge amount of space.
Home range: tens to hundreds of km²
Small enclosures are very stressful.
Lack of exercise leads to poor health.
🌿 Special environmental requirements.
Dry, high-temperature environments are a given.
Health management is difficult in Japan’s humid climate.
Ground and vegetation are also important.
🦌 Even herbivores are dangerous.
Even if they appear gentle,
Sharp horns measuring nearly 70 cm in length.
A serious bite can be fatal to a human.
👉 They are not as safe as livestock.
③ Their temperament is also “not suitable as pets.”
They are not friendly to humans.
They are not suitable for holding or handling.
They are highly cautious and can be dangerous if cornered.
➡ They are “animals to observe,”
Not “animals to interact with.”
④ Can they be kept in zoos or safaris?
⭕ Possible (Actually done)
Proven track record in zoos in Japan and overseas
Large enclosure
Breeding with controlled pedigrees
Managed by herd
The Arabian Oryx, in particular, is a species that has been “extinct-revived,” so
Their lineages and breeding locations are strictly controlled.
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