Arabian Oryx

Although the Arabian oryx is not considered critically endangered, it actually became extinct in on the Arabian Peninsula during the early 1970's and only survives today as a result of dedicated captive breeding programmes.

Much has been written about this nomad and much is still to be learned. There are many protected areas throughout Arabia that have been established for the protection and reintroduction of this mystical animal, sometimes referred to as the legendary unicorn, back into the wild. The local name used to describe the oryx is "baqr al washah" meaning wild cow and as the largest ruminating antelope of the desert, the oryx does indeed live rather like a cow but is remarkably more interesting.

The oryx meet virtually all their water requirements by eating plants with high water content and by feeding at that time of the day when water from fog and dew is at its maximum. The oryx is perhaps one of the most well adapted desert dwellers, feeding by night during the hot summer months and fleeing under shady plants during the heat of the day. Interestingly, when oryx are subjected to high ambient temperatures, their body temperature increases. During the cooler evening hours the animals lose this excess heat by radiation. This means that, without expending large amounts of water for evaporative cooling, oryx are able to maintain comfortable moisture levels within their bodies.

They also possess a complex but effective method of ensuring that the blood circulating to the brain remains substantially below that of their body temperature. Warm arterial blood on its way to the brain is cooled by passing through a sinus of cool venous blood returning from the nasal passages. Panting increases the airflow over the capillaries of the veins in the nasal passages to achieve this cooling process.
The white colour of the Arabian oryx is perhaps a little more complex than simple reflection of the hot heat rays from the sun. It is said that it is a method of keeping contact with the group during their wandering in search of grazing. Yet another small but ingenious adaptation to the harshness of the habitat they occupy.

Winter months too are well tolerated as these fascinating animals change their feeding habits to now feed in the daytime and find shelter from the cool desert winds during the evenings.

Oryx rarely run but are capable of walking long distances at a steady pace and can easily cover up to 50 km in a night. These long journeys are often made in order to find fresh grazing, it is also said that they follow the smell of rainfall ahead. Their nomadic tendencies allow oryx to benefit from a wide range of desert plants, some of which are dug up with their hooves in order to access the succulent roots.

Pregnancy lasts for eight and a half months but the mother is able to delay the birth date by a short time if conditions are not suitable, thus ensuring the survival of the calf. The calves are born a uniform sandy colour to provide essential camouflage in the desert sands. For the first three weeks the calf lies very still in the shade of a bush, emerging only to drink from its mother who will visit the calf up to fourteen times in a twenty four hour period. It has been reported that nursing of calves within a herd appears to be synchronised, probably because nursing takes places after the adults have had bouts of resting and ruminating.

Arabian Gazelle

Throughout western and southern Arabia, these variable gazelles were once common and widespread. Today the total global population is estimated to be no higher than 20 000. There are several variations of what is referred to as the mountain gazelle, some of which are individual and others that are regional. This particular species is currently divided into four subspecies i.e. G. g. erlangeri, G. g. muscantensis, G. g. farasani and G. g. cora. Historically, the only subspecies definitely occurring in the United Arab Emirates is G. g. cora, however, the species itself is unique to Arabia. The mountain gazelle inhabits the gravel plains, foothills and mountains along the periphery of peninsular Arabia and its range is often associated with the Acacia tree. Unlike many ungulate species, the mountain gazelle is not a gregarious species and is generally seen singly or in small groups.

Fawns are usually born singly during January and August and remain hidden in a hollow or under small shrubs for the first few days of their lives. Females are able to give birth twice a year, as their gestation period is just less than six months, however, this has not been commonly seen amongst captive herds.

As in the sand gazelle, the chest, belly, backs of the limbs and inner thighs are pure white. Their dominant dorsal colour is a light reddish, sandy brown with a darker band along the mid-dorsal trunk. Individual variation is extensive, with the lateral stripes in some individuals appearing remarkably darker than in others.

All gazelle have a characteristic gait of bouncing or pronking along stiff-legged with all four limbs landing together and is generally seen when they are playing or alarmed. Functions of this strange habit could include communication of alarm, better view of the predator and even intimidating or confusing the predator.

Sand gazelle

The Sand gazelle is quite distinct from all other Arabian gazelles and only very distantly related. There is a distinct difference between males and females, noticeable particularly in their horn shape. Males have distinctly hooked tips to their horns that are broader in diameter than those of the feebler females. The horns of the female gazelle often do not have the sharp hooks of the males. One theory of horn evolution is that they have developed as a response to the competition and conflict imposed by the trait of territoriality.

Unlike many other antelope species, the male Sand gazelle has large scent glands on his face. The territories of ungulates are very large, and constantly changing as herds search for the best grazing, making scenting a futile practice. However in Sand gazelle it is thought that they have necessarily small winter territories allowing effective marking with facial scent glands.

In central Arabia, it is an inhabitant of the sands, gravel plains and limestone plateaux and feeds on perennial dwarf shrubs, supplemented by abundant herbage following the winter rains. According to local experts, the historical distribution of the sand gazelle on the Arabian Peninsula consists of fragmented populations throughout.

The colouration of these elegant gazelles is very light, with a white under-belly and face. Their colouration is an obvious adaptation for the sandy desert habitat they favour, the only contrast being their soft black nose and mouth and large black eyes. These animals usually rely on concealment to escape detection. Their first response to danger is to freeze and then, only on the predator's closer approach, to run away.

Sand gazelle are the only antelope that regularly give birth to twins which usually happens in spring and autumn. The young are hidden for the first few days until they are strong enough to move with the herd. There does not appear to be any particular breeding season, however, peaks have been noted in captive herds during May and October. Sand gazelles will also often give birth twice in one year.

Their sense of sight and smell are well developed and can be seen as a clear adaptation on the skull in the large size of the orbits and ear cavities.

Gazelles are mainly browsers, eating grass, herbs and woody plants depending on availability. Generally they eat whatever is greenest or in abundance although their grazing range has been greatly diminished by man. Domestic sheep and goats also compete for the same food plants. As for the ibex and other antelope species, man has denied gazelles safe access to the limited springs and running water available.

Arabian Tahr

The tahr family is classified as a "goat of heavy to medium build with coarse, rather shaggy pelage". The Arabian tahr is endemic to the mountains of the UAE and northern Oman. It has been recorded in several wadis within the mountain ranges of UAE's east coast and there is also a well-known population thriving on the Jebel Hafit. Because vegetation is limited and is also dispersed mainly in ravines or canyons, numbers are very low and extremely dispersed.

Weighing approximately 23 kg, the tahr is considered small, however, its small size does not mean that the strength and agility of this rare species should be ignored. Males and females differ considerably in every aspect. The stocky males have compact, solid horns, impressive manes that extend right down the back and reddish tinted leg tassels. Their manes grow longer as they age and their eye-striped faces also become blacker with age. In contrast, the petite females have slender horns, much shorter, less visible manes and lack the showy leg tassels. A lightweight pelt during the summer months is supplemented during the winter with course, shaggy layers to provide an insulating layer against the cold. Like the Ibex, they have developed rubbery hooves that provide traction on the steep slopes and cliffs.

It is interesting to note that this desert dwelling species is dependent on water to survive. They will usually journey to favourite water holes in the late evening or early morning hours, leaving protected browsing sites in rocky crevices in order to drink. Sadly, the dependence of this little goat on water has led to its steady decline as traditional hunting techniques still used today, involved ambushing tahr at known water holes.

The breeding season is long with reports of births throughout the year. The gestation period is 140 - 145 days. If tahr are found in groups they are always small groups consisting of a female and kid or a male and female with a kid, otherwise they are generally seen alone. Males are never found together in the same group.

An unusual trait that this "goat" has is territoriality. Males scratch troughs or scrapes into the soil with their hooves and mark them with dung, urine and "horning". Vegetation in the area is also "horned". Tahr exude glandular secretions from the sternal skin and will touch their chest to rocks as a form of scent marking.

The continued survival of another of Arabia's unique animals is again dependent on its protection from indiscriminate hunting by man and uncontrolled invasion of its extremely fragile habitat.

Also see: Arabian tahr Distribution

Nubian Ibex

It is thought that the ibex may once have occurred in the rocky areas of Abu Dhabi, now however; it is diminished across the entire Arabian Peninsula, so rare that they are seldom seen. It is certainly the most commonly represented animal in the rock art of Arabia. This may be an indication that the ibex was once the most common ungulate on the Peninsula but may also reflect the beliefs of Arabia's earliest hunters and shepherds who, in the time of the Queen of Sheba, believed that the ibex was symbolic of the moon god.

Ibex are of the goat family, Capra but have further developed short muscular limbs with rubbery hooves to enable their survival on the rough, rocky mountains and stony screes they defend as their own. The males of this agile species have also developed the longest and most heavily reinforced horns, seen in mature adults, crowning them king of their mountains.

Great competition has arisen between domestic goats and the hardy wild ibex as farmers try to provide their goats with the best feeding areas and limited water resources. Although the ibex is able to survive without water for short periods, their occasional need to drink, has contributed to their scarcity as traditional hunting techniques still used today, involved ambushing ibex at known water holes. Another major threat faced by the Ibex today is possible hybridisation with domestic goats and is a direct result of habitat disturbance by man!

The main food plants of ibex are herbs, shrubs and trees. This nimble animal targets the fruit, buds, leaves and sometimes even the bark of many plant species and although not preferred, ibex will also eat grasses. They do not forage far from their resident cliffs as they are relatively slow runners and have little stamina.

In mountainous regions it is important that the Ibex absorbs warmth from the sun to prevent cold stress during the rapid drop in temperature experienced after sunset. They follow the path of the sun during the day and shelter in crevices between large rocks that have absorbed plenty of heat during the day.