A Stocky Build for Desert Life
The addax is a medium-sized antelope, standing about 3 feet at the shoulder and measuring 3.6 to 4.3 feet in length, with adults weighing between 132 and 264 lbs. Compared to other desert antelope like the oryx, the addax has a noticeably stockier frame, shorter legs, and a slight hump over its shoulders — a build suited to conserving energy rather than sprinting from predators.
Spiraled Horns on Both Sexes
Both male and female addax carry long, ringed horns that twist into two or three open spirals, reaching 3 to 4 feet in length. This is unusual among antelope, where horns are more often a male-only trait. Males' horns tend to be slightly longer and heavier, but the difference is subtle enough that horn size alone rarely settles the question of sex.
Wide, Splayed Hooves
The addax's broad, flat hooves spread its weight over loose sand, functioning much like snowshoes to keep the animal from sinking into dunes as it walks. This adaptation lets addax move efficiently across terrain that would exhaust animals built for firmer ground.
Square Teeth Instead of Facial Glands
Unlike its close relative the oryx, the addax lacks the facial scent glands common among antelope, and instead has large, square teeth more similar to cattle. This dental structure suits its diet of tough, fibrous desert vegetation, including grasses, herbs, and even bark.
