Addax

(Addax nasomaculatus) North Africa, Sahara Desert.

Addax antelope are one of 3 U.S. exotic species currently included in a pending ruling to ban breeding, selling and hunting.

ID
Addax have loosely spiraling horns that angle upward and back in both males and females.  Horns with 1.5 to 3 twists are common.  Exhibit a sandy to almost white summer coat and gray winter coloration, haunches and belly remain white all year.  May have a noticeable neck ruff with winter coat.  Darker face with a white ‘X’ across face with coarse, brown hair on forehead.  Young are born tan.  Have a slender tail with short tuft of hair at tip.  Widely splayed hooves, adapted for traversing desert sand.  Average horn length is 28″, but can grow in excess of 43″.  Height at shoulder is 40-45″.  Body weights of males are between 225 and 300 lbs; 100 to 200 lbs in females dependent on age and range conditions.

Behavior
Herd animal usually traveling in groups of 5-20 animals.  Surviving in the Sahara with it’s harsh desert environments, addax are one of the most drought resistant exotic species.  They aquire most of their daily water intake  from plant species in their diet.  They also have highly concentrated urine which is a method of conserving water. With available water, they will often drink only once daily.  Males leave small dung piles while females scatter their dung.  Addax are most active during dawn and twilight hours, bedding up in shade during warmer portions of the day.  Males attempt to establish territories with several females within its perimeter while females form dominance hierarchies based on age — oldest ranking the highest.   Addax are considered one of the slower antelope species leaving them vulnerable to faster predator species.

Food Habits
Addax prefer grass, but will utilize browse species if grasses are unavailable.

Breeding
Can take place at any time of the year, but usually peaks from May to July.  Females most often have 1 calf per cycle, with peak birthing taking place from January to March.  Gestation averages 8 & 1/2 months and young are usually fully weaned at 1 month.  Females are typically able to breed starting around 2 years of ages while males mature sexually at ages 2 to 3.  A single male will mate with several females within his established territory.

Life Span
Have been known to live up to 25 years in captivity.

Keeping addax
Thrive in warm, dry climates.  Considered one of the most drought resistant exotic game species.  Cold tolerant if adequate heavy brush for shelter in harsh conditions.  May require grass hay to supplement diet during harsh winter months.  Prone to parasites in moist climates.  Young are susceptible to fire ant bites that can lead to mortality.  New mothers are known to be very aggressive in defending young to the point of attacking humans and vehicles.  Blocks of dense cover should be established for calving and shelter.  Due to their “slow” nature, land with populations of large predator species such as mountain lions and cotoyes could pose a threat.  4 ft. fence usually adequate for containing addax.

Addax Hunting
Widely considered a “Super Exotic” — Expect to Pay $2500 to $6000 depending on trophy size and outfitter —> avg. cost for a trophy caliber addax is ~ $4600.