Gemsbok
Oryx gazella
Silhouette: Jan A. Venter, Herbert H. T. Prins, David A. Balfour & Rob Slotow (vectorized by T. Michael Keesey) · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassMammalia (Mammals)
- OrderArtiodactyla (Even-toed Ungulates and Cetaceans)
- FamilyBovidae (Bovids)
- GenusOryx (Oryxes)
- SpeciesOryx gazella (Gemsbok)
About the Gemsbok
The gemsbok (Oryx gazella), or South African oryx, is a large antelope in the genus Oryx. It is endemic to the dry and barren regions of Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and (parts of) Zimbabwe, mainly inhabiting the Kalahari and Namib Deserts, areas in which it is supremely adapted for survival. Previously, some sources classified the related East African oryx, or beisa oryx (Oryx beisa), as a subspecies.
The name gemsbok is from Afrikaans, which itself is from the Dutch word of the same spelling, meaning "male chamois", composed of gems ("chamois") + bok ("buck, male goat"). The Dutch gems is further from German Gämse ("chamois"). Although some superficial similarities in appearance (especially in the facial pattern) are noticed, the chamois and the oryx are not closely related. The usual pronunciation in English is.
Gemsbok are light taupe to tan in color, with lighter patches toward the bottom rear of the rump. Their tails are long and black in color. A blackish stripe extends from the chin down the lower edge of the neck, through the juncture of the shoulder and leg along the lower flank of each side to the blackish section of the rear leg. They have... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Gemsbok in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Blue Wildebeest
Connochaetes taurinus
Springbok
Antidorcas marsupialis
Steenbok
Raphicerus campestris
Khama
Alcelaphus caama
Greater Kudu
Tragelaphus strepsiceros
Common Eland
Taurotragus oryx
Hartebeest
Alcelaphus buselaphus
Southern Giraffe
Giraffa giraffa
Common Warthog
Phacochoerus africanus
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Etosha National Park | 🇳🇦 Namibia | |
| 2 | Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 3 | Namib-Naukluft National Park | 🇳🇦 Namibia | |
| 4 | Waterberg Plateau Park | 🇳🇦 Namibia | |
| 5 | Addo Elephant National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 6 | Hwange National Park | 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe | |
| 7 | Moremi Game Reserve | 🇧🇼 Botswana | |
| 8 | Chobe National Park | 🇧🇼 Botswana | |
| 9 | Garden Route National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 10 | Kruger National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Gemsbok in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park?
About 60% of wildlife watchers report a Gemsbok sighting in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, based on 257 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Gemsbok in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park?
February has the highest sighting rate for Gemsbok in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in our monthly data.