Scimitar Oryx

The scimitar oryx or scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah), also known as Sahara oryx, is a species of oryx which formerly inhabited all of North Africa. It has a long taxonomic history since its discovery in 1816, by Lorenz Oken, as Oryx algazel. This oryx is just over 1 m (3.3 ft) in height and may weigh up to 200 kg (440 lb). Now it is extinct in the wild.

The scimitar oryx formed herds of mixed sexes of up to 70 members, with the bulls usually guiding the herds. They inhabited semideserts and deserts, and were adapted to live in the extreme heat - with their efficient cooling mechanism and very low requirement of water. Scimitar oryx mainly feed on foliage - grasses, succulent plants and plant parts, during the night or early morning. Births peak between March and October. After a gestational period of eight to 9 months, one calf is born, and soon after, the female experiences a postpartum estrus.

In Ancient Egypt, the scimitar oryx was domesticated and believed to be offerings for gods and used as food. Wealthy people in Ancient Rome also bred the oryx. The use of their valuable hides began in the Medieval Age. The unicorn myth may have originated from sightings of an injured scimitar oryx.

Once widespread in northern Africa, now it has been classified as extinct in the wild by the IUCN. They originally began declining due to climatic changes; later, they were hunted extensively for their horns. Today, they are bred in captivity.