The Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) is a species of oryx in the family Bovidae. [source?] It is native to Israel, Jordan, Qatar, UAE and Oman.[source?] The Arabian oryx, once extinct in the wild, has been successfully brought back to nature using dedicated breeding programs. [source?]
The Arabian was first described by Peter Simon Pallas in 1767. [source?] The name Oryx comes from a Greek word meaning gazelle, while leucoryx comes from Greek words meaning "white". In 1868, a French scientist named Henri Marie Ducotray de Blainville set Oryx as it's own genus group. In 1857, the London Zoo got it's first Arabian oryx. Not realizing it already had a scientific name, another scientist tried to name it Oryx beatrix after a British princess. Eventually, scientists sorted out the confusion and reverted back to it's original name, Oryx leucoryx. [source?]
The Arabian oryx stands out from other oryx species due to its unique color and size. It has a bright white coat that reflects the desert sun. Other oryx species usually have grey, beige or patterned bodies. It features distinct dark brown to black markings on its legs that look like long socks. It has a unique pattern on the face, including a dark stripe down the patches of the nose and it's eyes. It is one of the smallest oryx species, standing only about 1 meter at the shoulder. Both males and females have straight horns that point backward. [source?]
The Arabian oryx is found in Israel, Jordan, Qatar, UAE and Oman. The species thrives in various desert environments like sand dunes, gravel and stony plains and seasonal wadis. [source?]
The Arabian oryx is a herbivore meaning it eats plants such as grass, leaves, buds and seed pods. It can go for months without drinking a single drop of water. Instead it gets it's moisture from the plants it eats. The mother usually give birth to one calf at a time. For the first few weeks, the mother hides her baby safely along the desert bushes while she looks for food. The calf starts eating plants by the time it's one month old, and becomes fully independent after a few months. They live in groups called herds which consists of 2 to 15 animals. A herd is usually led by a dominant male animal. During the day, they gather together to rest and sleep in hot shady spots. The Arabian oryx is built to survive the harsh desert. The white color acts like a mirror, reflecting the sun rays and keeping the animal cool. To avoid the burning daytime sun, the oryx digests it's food and rests during the day. It becomes active during the cooler night hours. [source?]