# Addax The Addax is a special type of antelope that lives in the desert. It has long, twisted horns and a beautiful light-colored coat that helps it stay cool in the hot sun. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Desert - **Also known as:** Screwhorn Antelope, White Antelope ![Addax](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424421/objects/4033.jpg) ## Appearance The Addax is a medium-sized antelope with a pale, sandy-white coat in summer that darkens to grayish-brown in winter. It has a distinctive white 'X' shape on its face and long, slender, spiraled horns on both males and females. Its broad, flat hooves are unique for navigating soft desert sand. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Artiodactyla - **Family:** Bovidae - **Genus:** Addax ## Interesting facts - Addaxes can survive scorching desert heat by changing their body temperature! - Both male and female Addaxes grow amazing corkscrew horns that spiral upwards! - Their special broad hooves are like built-in snowshoes, but for desert sand! - They are one of the rarest mammals on Earth, with very few left in the wild! ## Special abilities - **Desert Hydration:** Addax can survive long periods without water because they get almost all their moisture from the plants they eat. - **Sand Walker:** Addax has broad, flat hooves that help them walk easily over soft desert sand without sinking. - **Heat Stopper:** Addax can actually raise its own body temperature, which helps reduce water loss in extreme desert heat. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 120-130 cm - **Weight:** 60-125 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-20 years - **Speed:** 56 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 257-280 days ## Diet & Feeding Addaxes are herbivores that graze on sparse desert grasses and browse leaves and shrubs. - **Primary Foods:** desert grasses, acacia leaves, succulent plants, herbs - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Needlegrass (*Aristida pungens*) — A primary food source in its desert habitat. - **Eats:** Umbrella Thorn (*Acacia tortilis*) — Browses on the leaves of this hardy desert tree. - **Eaten by:** Striped Hyaena (*Hyaena hyaena*) — Potential natural predator, though rare due to Addax scarcity. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Horned](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/horned): Characterized by having one or more hard, permanent, pointed projections on the head. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Desert](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/desert): Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always watch from a distance and never try to touch wild animals like the Addax. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Addax? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Addax? 120-130 cm ### How much does Addax weigh? 60-125 kg ### How long does Addax live? 15-20 years ### How fast can Addax move? 56 km/h ### What does Addax eat? Addaxes are herbivores that graze on sparse desert grasses and browse leaves and shrubs. ### Where is Addax usually found? Desert ### How does Addax hunt? Grazing ## Where to spot - [Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/natural-bridge-wildlife-ranch) — Texas, US · Zoo ## Watch - [Play video: Addax](https://www.snappit.app/videos/addax) - [YouTube](https://youtube.com/watch?v=G4ksemLnL1M) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Addax: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/addax)