- Where to see one
- 4 U.S. zoos in our directory hold gemsbok, confirmed against each zoo's own animal list.
Conservation status
Not Evaluated
This species has not been assessed for the IUCN Red List, so it sits outside the threat scale entirely.
About the gemsbok
The gemsbok is a large antelope of the genus Oryx, found in the dry, barren regions of Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and parts of Zimbabwe, mainly in the Kalahari and Namib Deserts. It is light taupe to tan, with a long black tail, dark flank markings, white leg 'socks' and long, straight horns carried by both sexes. Herds of about 10 to 40 animals include a dominant male, a few other males and females. Gemsbok graze, switching to browsing in the dry season, and can dig up to a meter deep for roots and tubers. They do not depend on drinking water, getting enough moisture from wild tsamma melons and cucumbers.
Gemsbok facts
- Gemsbok can run at speeds of up to 60 km/h (37 mph).
- Wild tsamma melons and cucumbers can supply all the water a gemsbok needs.
- Females use their horns to defend themselves and their calves from predators.
- Calves stay hidden for six weeks after birth before rejoining the herd.
Where to see gemsbok in the U.S.
4 zoos across 4 states
Find the closest one
Rank the 3 zoos holding gemsbok by how far they are from you. Your location is used in your browser to sort this list and is never sent to us.
1 more zoo holds gemsbok but has no coordinates on file yet, so it isn't ranked here. It's in the full list below.
Georgia· 1
New York· 1
Tennessee· 1
Texas· 1
AZAThe Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Accredited members have passed an independent inspection of animal care and welfare, safety, conservation and education, repeated every five years. Many smaller facilities never apply, so “not accredited” isn't a verdict on its own. What accreditation means · How we check this
Built from each zoo's own published animal list.
