Exotic species, or non-native plants or animals that have been introduced into an area, are often very detrimental to native plants, animals, and ecosystems. At White Sands National Park, the oryx is one such species. To reduce the impact this animal has on the White Sands National Park ecosystem, certain measures have been implemented to keep oryx out the park. Native to the Kalahari Desert, the African oryx, or gemsbok (Oryx gazella), is a large antelope that now lives in southern New Mexico. It weighs on average up to 450 pounds (204 kg) and stands 47 inches (1.2 meters) tall at the shoulder, almost as tall as the roof of the average car. Both male and female oryx have horns that average 34 inches long (.86 meter). Their brown coloring with distinctive black-and-white markings enables them to hide among desert shrubs.