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Gemsbok & Sossusvlei

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One cool oryx

     This desert antelope is primarily found in hot arid regions in Southern Africa. One of the largest populations can be found in Namibia in one of the hottest and oldest deserts in the world. The gemsbok can adapt to different food sources depending on the time of year typically grazes, but during the drier months of the year can browse on woody brush and bark. This animal is also able to dig for roots to supplement water intake during the hottest and driest parts of the year.  

Sossusvlei

     Is a location within the Namib-Naukluft desert that is a unique feature that is believed to at one point have been a marsh. Now long dried up, this feature is simply a salt and clay pan surrounded by tall red sand dunes. This ecosystem is characterized by really hot temperatures, little vegetation and dry conditions, yet is somehow home to one of the most rugged animals in the world. The highest heat index record in this desert was 136.58 degrees fahrenheit in 2010. 

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These animals are fairly social and live in groups of up to 40 individuals consisting of a dominant male, a few smaller males and females. They use their extraordinarily large horns for self defense and the males will use them to defend their territories from other males. Gemsbok can run up to 37 miles per hour over short distances to avoid predators. 

     

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