The common beisa oryx (''Oryx beisa beisa''), also known as the beisa oryx, is the

nominate subspecies In biological classification, subspecies is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (morphology), but that can successfully interbreed. Not all species ...

of the

East African oryx The East African oryx (''Oryx beisa''), also known as the beisa is a species of antelope from East Africa. It has two subspecies: the common beisa oryx (''Oryx beisa beisa'') found in steppe and semidesert throughout the Horn of Africa and north ...

native to the

Horn of Africa The Horn of Africa (HoA), also known as the Somali Peninsula, is a large peninsula and geopolitical region in East Africa.Robert Stock, ''Africa South of the Sahara, Second Edition: A Geographical Interpretation'', (The Guilford Press; 2004), ...

and

Kenya ) , national_anthem = "Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi , ...

. It is closely related to the

fringe-eared oryx The fringe-eared oryx (''Oryx callotis'' or ''Oryx beisa callotis''), is a large species or subspecies of oryx antelope native to east Africa. It was originally described as a distinct species by Oldfield Thomas in 1892, but was subsequentl ...

. There are four species of

oryx ''Oryx'' is a genus consisting of four large antelope species called oryxes. Their pelage is pale with contrasting dark markings in the face and on the legs, and their long horns are almost straight. The exception is the scimitar oryx, which l ...

, one of which has two distinct subspecies. Although they are very similar in appearance, they have a number of distinct characteristics that allow identification. Common beisa oryx have fringed ears and black tufts of hair that extend past their ears. However, all species of oryx are compact and muscular, with relative long bodies and broad necks. There are not any marked difference between male and female oryx. The common beisa oryx enjoys feeding on a variety of grass species. They feed during the day, when the plants hold the most water. During the dry season, they feed on poisonous ''Adenium'' plants.

Habitat

The common beisa oryx once inhabited a large region of northeastern Africa, from Sudan down to Tanzania, but it has been going extinct rapidly. Now they mostly remain in Ethiopia and northern Kenya. In 1959, a boundary change in the Serengeti National Park excluded the area inhabited by the common beisa oryx. Recent observations (1974–1975) show that oryx are still only visitors to the Serengeti National Park, but there are indications that they may become resident in the future. Common beisa oryx stay in bushland and grassland areas. During the wet season, they move to high ground and avoid tall grass and saturated areas. They move great distances to find a perfect location and stay there for a few seasons.

References

SloaneCommunications, Lulu. “Aerial Surveys Highlight Beisa Oryx Hotspot.” Fauna & Flora International, Fauna & Flora International , 20 Feb. 2018, https://www.fauna-flora.org/news/aerial-surveys-highlight-beisa-oryx-hotspot.

common beisa oryx The common beisa oryx (''Oryx beisa beisa''), also known as the beisa oryx, is the nominate subspecies of the East African oryx native to the Horn of Africa and Kenya. It is closely related to the fringe-eared oryx. There are four species of ory ...

Mammals of Kenya Fauna of the Horn of Africa

Subspecies {{Eventoedungulate-stub