The White Oryx [3] [4] , or the Arabian Orix [5] [6] ( Latin Oryx leucoryx ) is an antelope of the genus Oryx , previously widespread in the deserts and semi-deserts of western Asia .
| White oryx |
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| Scientific classification |
|---|
| No rank : | Bilateral symmetric |
| Nadotryad : | Laurasiotherium |
| Subfamily : | Sabletail antelopes |
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| International Scientific Name |
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Oryx leucoryx ( Pallas , 1777) |
| Synonyms |
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- Oryx gazella leucoryx Pallas , 1777 [1]
- Oryx leucorix ( Link , 1795) [2]
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| Security status |
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Vulnerable speciesIUCN 3.1 Vulnerable : 15569 |
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Content
The Arabian oryx is the smallest of all types of oryx, and its height at the withers is only 80 to 100 cm. The weight of the Arabian oryx is up to 70 kg. The coat is very light. Legs and lower side of body yellowish, sometimes even brown. Each Arabian oryx on the face has a peculiar dark brown pattern like a mask. Both sexes have very long, almost even horns ranging in length from 50 to 70 cm.
Arabian Oryx perfectly adapted to life in the desert. Reflective sunlight coloring coat protects it from heat. With a shortage of water and high temperatures, Arabian oryxes can increase body temperature to 46.5 ° C, and at night it drops to 36 ° C. This reduces the need for water. When excreting feces and urine, these animals also lose very little fluid. The temperature of the blood , which is supplied by the brain , is reduced by a unique system of capillaries in the carotid artery .
Arabian oryxes feed on herbs , leaves and buds and calmly endure for several days without taking liquid. In the absence of close reservoirs , they cover the need for it in part by licking dew or moisture deposited on the fur of their relatives. Daily drinking of water is necessary only for pregnant individuals. Arabian oryxes can feel the rain and fresh grass and move in the right direction. During the daytime, these animals are resting.
Females and juveniles live in groups consisting on average of five individuals. Individual herds “own” pastures with an area of more than 3,000 km². Males are solitary, protecting ranges of up to 450 km².
Initially, the Arabian oryx was distributed from the Sinai Peninsula to Mesopotamia , as well as the Arabian Peninsula . Already in the 19th century, it disappeared almost everywhere, and its range was limited to several areas distant from civilization in the south of the Arabian Peninsula. First of all, the Arabian Oryx was valued for its skin and meat . In addition, it was a pleasure for tourists to hunt them with rifles straight from cars, as a result of which, after 1972, all the free animals disappeared completely.
A global program for the breeding of Arabian oryxes was launched, based only on a small group of animals from zoos and private property. Her results were very successful. At the same time, attitudes toward nature conservation have begun to change in Arab countries. The Arabian oryx was re-released into the wild in Oman (1982), Jordan (1983), Saudi Arabia (1990) and the United Arab Emirates (2007). Small groups were also brought to Israel and Bahrain . The program for the introduction of the Arabian Orixes into the wild nature is associated with great labor and financial expenses, since these animals are often brought from other continents and are only gradually being prepared for survival in the wild.
IUCN is still evaluating the Arabian Oryx as being threatened. Poaching continued on him in Oman and since its introduction the population has again decreased from 500 to 100 individuals. In 2007, UNESCO removed the protected areas inhabited by Arabian Oryx from the list of World Heritage Sites , since the Omani government decided to reduce them by 90 percent. This is the first ever removal from the list.
Unlike the situation in Oman, the dynamics of the Arabian Oryx population in Saudi Arabia and Israel is encouraging. In Abu Dhabi until 2012, it is planned to settle about 500 animals in a new reserve.
- ↑ Sokolov V. Ye. Systematics of mammals. Volume 3. Cetaceans, carnivores, pinnipeds, tubibiz, proboscides, damans, sirens, hoof grasses, cornflowers, parotidaceous. - M .: Higher School, 1979. - p. 421. - 528 p.
- ↑ Oryx leucorix (Eng.) According to the United Taxonomic Information Service (ITIS).
- ↑ Animal life. Volume 7. Mammals / ed. V.E. Sokolova . - 2nd ed. - Moscow: Enlightenment, 1989. - p. 479-480. - 558 s. - ISBN 5-09-001434-5
- ↑ Fisher D., Simon N., Vincent D. The Red Book. Wildlife in danger / lane. from English, ed. A. G. Bannikova . - M .: Progress, 1976. - p. 197-200. - 478 s.
- Full illustrated encyclopedia. "Mammals" Kn. 2 = The New Encyclopedia of Mammals / ed. D. Macdonald . - M .: Omega, 2007. - p. 471. - 3000 copies. - ISBN 978-5-465-01346-8 .
- ↑ Sokolov V. Ye. The five-language dictionary of animal names. Mammals. Latin, Russian, English, German, French. / edited by Acad. V.E. Sokolova. - M .: Rus. lang., 1984. - p. 133. - 10 000 copies.
