The Biology, Husbandry and Conservation Scimitar-horned Oryx ...

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Part 1: Biology & Conservation
Table 1. Species known to be eaten by the scimitar-horned oryx in the wild and at release sites for reintroduction programmes. This is not intended to be a
comprehensive list, but a guide to their wild diet, and includes plant species from both the Sahelian and North of the Sahara zones.
Group Species Notes
Trees Acacia raddiana Seed pods are eaten. Important part of the diet especially for females suckling young as the pods have a high nutritious
value.
Capparis decidua Leafless twigs and shoots are eaten in quantity due to their high moisture content.
Cordia sinensis It is eaten as it is one of the first plants to green after the rains, but is disregarded when more palatable grasses emerge.
Shrubs Amarantaceae (Aerva sp.)
Cassia italica (C. obovata) Shrub that persists in good quantities into the hot season
Chrozophora senegalensis Shrub that persists in good quantities into the hot season
Cornulaca monacantha Persistent shrub
Indigofera oblongifolia Leafless twigs and shoots are eaten in quantity due to their high moisture content.
Leptadenia pyrotechnica Browsed on during the hot season.
Maerua crassifolia Browsed on during the hot season.
Nyctaginaceae (Boerhavia sp.)
Herbs Artemisia sp. Compositae
Blepharis linariifolia
Boerhavia repens
Citrullus colocynthis (Colocynthis
vulgaris)
Most important water nutritive plant species. The leaves, stems and fruit are all eaten and are very moist and bitter, and
stay green well into the hot/dry season.
Chascanum marrubiifolium
Cyperus jeminicus
Farsetia aegyptiaca Crucifer with strong mustard flavoured leaves. Popular with the oryx.
Fimbristylis hispidula
Heliotropium strigosum Herb that persists in good quantities into the hot season
Indigofera aspera Leguminous annual. Stems and leaves are eaten.
Indigofera colutea Leguminous annual. Stems and leaves are eaten.