Oryx is a genus consisting of four large antelope species called oryxes.Three of them are native to arid parts of Africa, and the fourth to the Arabian Peninsula.Their fur is pale with contrasting dark markings in the face and on the legs, and their long horns are almost straight. A to Z list of animals that live in the desert. Deserts are regions in which very little rain falls. Currently extinct in the wild, conservation scientists are working on reintroduction programs in Tunisia, Chad and Niger. Introduction. Desert animals live in an environment that can be very harsh. Oryx feed on these plants before dawn, or twilight, to get the maximum moisture from the plants. Some desert plant species survive by dying when the environment becomes too dry but leaving seeds with tough outer coatings that protect the seed until the rains come again. This species is a desert antelope that is highly adapted to its harsh desert environment. The Gemsbok Oryx have adapted to waterless wastelands uninhabitable by most large mammals. Namibian desert lions live on a diet of Oryx, Wildebeest, Zebras, Giraffes and Ostriches, and when food is really scarce; they have been known to attack elephants. One animal in particular showcases an impressive array of adaptations that make it a great survivalist in arid regions: the Gemsbok (Oryx gazella). An elegant, graceful antelope (which may be behind the legend of the unicorn), the scimitar-horned oryx is supremely adapted to desert life. Desert animals for kids with pictures and facts. They range over the sand dunes and climb the mountains to visit springs and salt licks. Animal adaptations for living in the desert. They are equally at home in both the dry grasslands and the desert plains. Under the coat is a very thick fatty layer, and in between the skin is black which cuts down the absorption of ultraviolet rays. Note: This talk was presented to the ENHG on 19 May. They are well adapted to cope with the extremely hot climate. The Arabian wolf is a subspecies of grey wolf that has adapted to live in impressively harsh conditions. Arabian oryx are between 2.5 and 3.5 feet tall, and they can weigh up to 200 pounds. As true desert specialists, they survive through several adaptations, such as remaining in the shade during the daytime; excavating scrapes in shady ground and lying down to offload body heat to the cooler sand and reduce body surface exposed to drying winds. Plants and animals that live in desert or arid regions have to have specific adaptations, mostly to cope with extreme heat and extreme drought. In 1989 an experiment was started at the Bukhara Breeding Centre, Kyzylkum Desert, Uzbekistan, to discover whether zoo-bred Przewalski's horses Equus przewalskii could adapt to semi-wild desert conditions. Adaptations in Desert Animals. The Arabian oryx or white oryx is a medium-sized antelope with a distinct shoulder bump, long, straight horns, and a tufted tail. Arabian oryx also can be found in Egypt, which is west of the Arabian Peninsula, and Syria, which is north of the Arabian Peninsula. One stallion and four mares of different ages were released into a 5126-ha fenced area and monitored over a period of 17 years. Adaptations help desert animals to acquire and retain water, and to regulate body temperatures, which helps them to survive in the harsh conditions of the desert. Gemsbok are a large antelope in the oryx genus that have many interesting physical and … The Arabian oryx is the specialist of the local desert environment. The Arabian oryx is amongst the largest desert mammals of the Arab region and throughout history has been an important aspect of its heritage. Many desert plants have spines that provide protection from grazing animals and also produce shade. It has a white coat consisting of dense, longish hair. Arabian oryx are built specially for desert environments. Desert lions will travel great distances in search of prey, and surprisingly for a hot climate, have thicker coats than their cousins in order to deal with the cold night temperatures. The Oryx prefers hot and arid environments such as steppes, deserts and semi deserts. The Adaptation of Desert Animals to Their Environment - Some Examples by Chris Furley (Ed. Scimitar Horned Oryx Even the plants that the oryx feed on, have adapted to living in desert and semi-desert conditions. Once extinct in the wild, it once again inhabits the dry Arabian Peninsula. They gather moisture from dew that forms at night and early morning, and release it during the heat of the day.