All information about the addax

The addax

The addax (Addax nasomaculatus) is an antelope from the large family of the cave horned animals (Bovidae). This large family is divided into smaller families. For example, the addax belongs to the horse antelope family (Hippotraginae). This family in turn is subdivided into three genera:

• Addax

  • Addax (Addax nasomaculatus)

• Hippotragus

  • Roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus)

  • Bluebuck (Hippotragus leucophaeus)

  • Black horse antelope (Hippotragus niger)

• Oryx

  • Beisa (Oryx beisa)

  • Algazel (Oryx dammah)

  • Gemsbok (Oryx gazella)

  • Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx)

In Safaripark Beekse Bergen there are three species of antelopes from the horse antelope family, namely the gemsbok, the black horse antelope and of course the addax.

Can you find all three species?

What does an addax look like?

The addax is found in the deserts of Niger, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Libya and Sudan. On the head, both males and females have two large horns. These horns can grow up to 72 centimeters long! These horns allow them to defend themselves well against predators. The addax is fully adapted to life in the desert. For example, it has a sand-colored coat with white legs and belly. This coat color gives the addax good camouflage in the desert. In winter, this coat is grayish brown in color. This is due to the amount and strength of the sun in different seasons. Also, the hooves of the addax are split which allows it to walk well over the sand without sinking completely into it.

How much does an addax weigh?

The addax weighs between sixty and 125 pounds. Males are larger than females and therefore weigh more. The addax has a shoulder height between 95 and 115 centimeters.

What is the habitat of an addax?

The addax lives in the sand and stone deserts of Niger, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Libya and Sudan. Well adapted to desert life, the addax is one of the few antelope species that can survive in the desert.

What does an addax eat?

Because it rains so little in the addax's habitat, water and food are scarce. They trek long distances through the desert in search of food. The addax mainly eats desert grasses and succulents, but sometimes leaves, tree bark, herbs and flowers. Water is also almost impossible to find in the desert. The addax lives almost its entire life without drinking water. It gets enough moisture from its food. Because its dung and urine contain very little water, it wastes as little moisture as possible.

Does the addax live in a herd?

The addax lives in a herd of five to 20 animals. Because there is little food to be found in the desert, the animals roam the desert in search of food. The herd is led by one dominant male. The male has his own territory and tries to keep fertile females in his territory. The addax is mostly active at night. During the day, the animals often lie in the shade.

Ranger Stijn takes you to see the addaxes at Safaripark Beekse Bergen.

Is the addax endangered?

Unfortunately, the addax is a critically endangered species. It is estimated that only between thirty and ninety adult addaxes still live in the wild and this number is declining. The addax is not fast which makes hunting the animal very easy for both predators and humans. Also, the growing population is causing the addax's habitat to wane. In the last 100 years, 99% of the habitat has disappeared. Another threat is tourists who hunt the animal until it is completely depleted. Due to climate change, there have been periods of extreme drought that have left little food and water and many animals dying.

The role of zoos is to preserve and protect of endangered species. European parks work closely together to achieve this goal and do so with an management program (EEP). The addax is also part of this. This helps maintain a healthy reserve population. Find out more about species conservation and our role here here.

Conservation

Not only the addax, but many of the species you see in our park are endangered and struggling in their native habitats. Did you know that worldwide more than 4,000 animal species threatened with extinction are endangered? Together we can help them, with big, or small steps. Want to know how? Then click here.

Wildlife Foundation

The Wildlife Foundation supports the Sahara Conservation Fund, helping to protect the Addax in the wild. They do this through protection of areas, release programs where the animals are released into the wild and education to local people. Want to know more about the Wildlife Foundation? Then click here.

How old does an addax get?

The addax lives to be about twenty years old in the wild. In zoos, they can sometimes live to be several years older. In the zoo, they have no natural enemies and there is always food for them.

Reproduction of the addax

The female's gestation period is between eight and nine months. The addax can have young throughout the year and will have one young per litter. The young is called a calf in the addax. The calf remains drinking with the mother for about five to nine months and is sexually mature when it is about 2.5 years old.

Will you come and admire these beautiful, rare animals in Safaripark Beekse Bergen?