ScienceAugust 16, 2026
oryx
OR-iks
Definition
A large desert-dwelling antelope known for its long, straight or slightly curved horns.
Etymology
Derived from the ancient Greek word 'orux', which originally meant a gazelle or antelope and was used by Herodotus to describe animals in North Africa.
In the news
In this study, the oryx is the target animal used to test whether humans can use their superior heat-regulating abilities to tire out a much faster prey animal.
Humans are mediocre sprinters, but in 36–41°C heat researchers watched a hunter pursue an oryx until the animal's body reached 44°C while his own stayed below 39°C — a glimpse of an endurance advantage our genus may have begun evolving roughly 2
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