Addax

Addax nasomaculatus

Easy

The **Addax** (*Addax nasomaculatus*) is a large African ungulate featured in the Arid Animal Pack DLC for *Planet Zoo*.

## Zoopedia Description

### General

**Population In Wild:** 100

The addax (or Addax nasomaculatus) is a species of antelope that lives in remote areas of the Sahara Desert. Having historically lived throughout North Africa, they are now only found in areas in Niger and Chad. The addax is cream, white, or sandy in color, with brown markings around the face and muzzle. Both sexes have dark, twisted horns, which is why they are sometimes called screwhorn antelope. Addaxes can achieve a body length of 3.9ft to 4.3ft. Males are usually taller and heavier than females, standing 3.4ft to 3.7ft tall at the shoulder and weighing 220lb to 298lb. Their horns are also generally longer and thicker, with a length of 27in to 33in. Female addaxes are 3.1ft to 3.6ft tall, weigh between 132lb to 198lb, and have 22in to 33in long horns.

As a Critically Endangered species, it is estimated that fewer than 100 addaxes survive in the wild. The addax has been driven close to extinction by overhunting - it is a large and slow-moving species, which makes it easy to hunt as a source of food or for its valuable leather. Parts of its present range are located close to an oil site, meaning its habitat is being further degraded.
Conservation efforts focus on extensive breeding that reintroduce and monitor new addax herds in order to increase their numbers in the wild, and to decrease poaching and roadkill fatalities.

### Social

Addaxes live in herds of 10 to 25 members which can be composed of different structures: males and females of all ages, harems of one dominant male with several unrelated females and their offspring, or single-sex bachelor groups.

In captivity, addaxes are commonly kept in harem groups.

### Reproduction

It is difficult to observe natural reproductive behavior in addaxes as wild herds are often very small or have been reintroduced from captivity. Therefore, this based on captive breeding observations and other closely related antelope species.

Addax bulls have territories, and attempt to herd any females roaming through them into their harems. While addaxes breed year-round, births peak during winter and spring. The dominant male monitors all females in his group for signs of estrus by smelling their urine. If a female is receptive, he will attempt to initiate mating.

Pregnancy lasts 8.5 to 9 months, after which the female will give birth to a calf, though occasionally twins. The calves are weaned between 5 and 9 months of age, usually by the time the mother is pregnant again.

At 2 years old, addax males reach sexual maturity and leave their natal group to establish their own territory, or join a bachelor herd if unable to do so. Females reach sexual maturity at 2 or 3 years old, and leave their group to join an unrelated male's harem.

## Animal Care

 FEEDING STATIONS
 FOOD ENRICHMENT
Grazing Ball Feeder · Small Barrel Feeder · Hanging Grazer Feeder · Melon Feeder · Scarecrow Feeder
Grab Ball · Rubbing Pillar · Scots Pine/Tamarind Scratching Tree · Herb Scent Marker

## Trivia

* The addax dips itself in the sand in shady areas to rest and avoid the sun.
* Addaxes have specially adapted flat hooves that allow them to walk effectively on the sand.
* The addax barely ever needs to drink and gets almost all the water it requires from its diet of desert grasses.
* The addax is one of the slowest antelopes, perhaps due to its adaptations that help it to traverse sandy terrain.
* The addax's coat lightens in the summer and darkens in the winter to adapt to the temperature change.