Screwhorn antelope aka addax is a majestic antelope species with very long and magnificent horns. Sometimes beauty comes with consequences, and people hunt these ungulates for their horns and leather; hence them being critically endangered. Not a lot of people pay attention to the decline of their population, and that is just sad. While they are still around, let’s get to know them together below.
1Appearance
A screwhorn antelope is a medium-sized ungulate that stands from 105 to 115 centimeters in males and 95 to 110 centimeters in females. The long spiral horns of this ungulate reach a length of 55 to 80 centimeters in females, and 70 to 85 centimeters in males. These horns have 2 to 3 twists, and the lower and middle parts have around 30 to 35 ring-shaped ridges. In winter, the coat of these antelopes is grayish-brown with white hindquarters and legs.
At the same time, they also have long brown hair on their head, neck, and shoulders. When summer comes, that brown coat turns almost completely white or sandy blonde. One of their striking features is the white facial blazes that form an “X” over their noses. Also, both males and females have short shaggy manes with dark patches between their horns. This is how they got another nickname: masked antelopes. More than that, they have broad hooves and flat soles along with strong dewclaws that help them walk on sand without sinking.
2Behavior
Screwhorn antelopes are social animals that live in herds of 5 to 20 members, with both males and females. This herd is usually led by one dominant and territorial male who guards his females. Along with that, they have a scent gland on each of their four feet that they use to mark their territory. The addax can communicate by using several vocalizations such as alarm calls, grunts, and snorts. These antelopes are more active at nighttime, and they prefer to sleep during the day due to the heat. They usually stay in one place, and the leading male only leads his herd further away to search for food. These antelopes have the special ability to track rainfall, and they will head to areas where vegetation is plentiful.
3Feeding & Habitats
You are looking at the antelopes native to the Sahara Desert, and they can live without water for a long time. This adaptation is possible because they get moisture from dew that condenses on plants and from their food. But that’s not all, the addax also has a special lining in its stomach that stores water in pouches. That way, they remain hydrated even during the absence of water. They inhabit arid regions such as rocky hillsides, sandy deserts, semi-deserts, and stony deserts. As grazers, the addax mainly feeds on bushes, desert succulents, grasses and leaves from shrubs, and leguminous herbs. It is not safe out there in the open, and their main predators are African wild dogs, cheetahs, leopards, and lions. Screwhorn antelopes are classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to chronic droughts, habitat destruction, and unregulated hunting.
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