Gemsbok

Original Fine Art Photography and digital artwork by Donna Kennedy..
Photo taken at Out of Africa Wildlife Park, Camp Verde, AZ

The gemsbok... more

by Donna Kennedy

Title

Gemsbok

Artist

Donna Kennedy

Medium

Photograph - Photographs

Description

Original Fine Art Photography and digital artwork by Donna Kennedy..
Photo taken at Out of Africa Wildlife Park, Camp Verde, AZ

The gemsbok or gemsbuck (Oryx gazella) is a large antelope in the Oryx genus. It is native to the arid regions of Southern Africa, such as the Kalahari Desert. Some authorities formerly included the East African oryx as a subspecies.
The most distinctive features of this heavily built antelope are its long, rapier-shaped horns and striking black and white facial markings. The beautiful horns of the gemsbok are sought after as charms in many cultures and were even sold as unicorn horns in medieval England. The body is fawn-grey with a black stripe along the side separating the upperparts from the white underparts, and there are extensive black areas on its upper legs. The gemsbok has a long, horse-like tail, and while both sexes possess the impressive horns, those of the male are shorter and more robust than the female's.
The gemsbok is remarkably adapted to its arid environment; particularly noteworthy is its ability to survive without drinking water for most of the year. It conserves water within its body by lying in the shade during the hottest part of the day, and restricts activity to early mornings, late afternoons or the cool nights. 0822

Thank you to the Administrators that Featured this photo in the following Groups:
-First Friday Gallery Group
-All Natural Beauty of This World
-USA Photographers ONLY
-Animal Photographs
-ART-It Is Good For You
-Topaz Simplify-Glow-Impression Photo Renderings
-Our 4-Legged Friends
-Wildlife One A Day
-All About Nature and the Animals
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Uploaded

September 3rd, 2016