Common name: Arabian Oryx (المها العربي)
Scientific name: Oryx leucoryx
Family: Bovidae

Size:
Shoulder height: 80–100 cm
Body length: 150–170 cm
Weight: 70–100 kg

Identification:
A medium-sized antelope with a striking white coat, contrasting dark markings on the face and legs, broad hooves, and long, nearly straight horns present in both males and females; males' horns are usually thicker and slightly shorter.

Habitat:
Desert and semi-desert environments, including sand dunes, gravel plains, and arid steppe. Adapted to survive in harsh conditions with minimal water availability.

Status in the UAE:
Native and reintroduced. Now established in protected areas and reserves following successful conservation and reintroduction programs.

Diet:
Herbivorous — feeds on grasses, herbs, leaves, roots, bulbs, and shrubs. Can extract moisture from plants, allowing long periods without drinking water.

Behavior:
Highly adapted to desert life; can tolerate extreme heat and dehydration. Lives in small herds that roam widely after rain, is often active during cooler parts of the day, rests in shade in the hottest hours, and is capable of detecting rainfall over long distances.

Conservation status:
Vulnerable (IUCN Red List)