Addax
The Addax (Addax nasomaculatus), also known as the white antelope or screwhorn antelope, is a desert-dwelling animal native to the Sahara Desert….
The Addax (Addax nasomaculatus), also known as the white antelope or screwhorn antelope, is a desert-dwelling animal native to the Sahara Desert. It is easily recognized by its long, twisted horns and pale coat that reflects sunlight, helping it survive in extreme heat. Adapted to arid environments, the addax can go long periods without water, obtaining moisture from the plants it eats. Sadly, it is now critically endangered due to hunting and habitat loss.
Addax Facts Overview
| Height | 95–115 cm (3.1–3.8 ft) at the shoulder |
| Length | 150–170 cm (4.9–5.6 ft) |
| Weight | 60–125 kg (132–276 lbs) |
| Speed | Up to 60 km/h (37 mph) |
| Food | Grasses, herbs, and desert shrubs |
| Color | Pale white or sandy in summer, grayish-brown in winter |
| Location | Sahara Desert regions of Niger and Chad (North Africa) |
| Predators | Lions, hyenas, and humans |
| Lifespan | 16–25 years (in captivity up to 25 years) |
| Habitat | Arid deserts and sandy dunes |
| Gestation | About 8.5 to 9 months, usually one calf born |
How many addax are left?
Fewer than 100 Addax remain in the wild, mainly in Niger. Once widespread across the Sahara, their numbers declined due to hunting and habitat loss. Conservation efforts aim to protect and increase their population.
What does addax eat?
The Addax eats grasses, leaves, and desert shrubs. It can also feed on herbs and acacia pods. Being well adapted to dry deserts, it gets most of its water from the plants it eats.
What are the predators of addax?
The main predators of the Addax are lions, hyenas, and humans. In the wild, young addaxes may also be hunted by jackals. However, human hunting has been the biggest threat to their survival.
What is the addax behavior?
Addaxes are calm, social, and slow-moving animals that live in small herds of 2–20 members. They are mainly nocturnal during hot weather, resting in the day and feeding at night. Addaxes rarely need water, surviving on moisture from plants, and they wander long distances across deserts in search of food.
How long can an addax go without water?
An Addax can survive several months without drinking water, relying on the moisture it gets from the desert plants it eats. This adaptation helps it thrive in the harsh Sahara Desert environment.