![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLAF9wmgTVduxL4s5MbJ-Z1nXq71k6Qru89Q_r8yemXGPe9rzu-N882HvEJXcz4hFuAaBL3N3mudNWwjdwkymTY5yw4wS3jff4Xvo8Y9_9TG1LLrQqTPHL4U1NOILfFsvNQ3W8X1aewc/s400/9+gemsbok.jpg) |
This gemsbok is drinking at Okaukuejo waterhole with Burchell's zebras. |
The gemsbok is on the coat of arms of Namibia along with the African fish eagle.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwWkwHqJXNDMD0OparEuH7S9VR0ZPvVKRJurkFQyVrJc7henY5TIj6fzwxz5K5KdgYuDaq9m1ZIwViPb7Bz5iQUgAkJ8c5wzIpRzV5sMB6wKJW8FWFabuRZirHlIasfIDp7x30PQI9Ng/s400/500px-Coat_of_arms_of_Namibia.svg%255B1%255D.png) |
A very cool depiction. |
Compared to the beisa oryx, the gemsbok has a dark patch at the base of the tail; an entirely black tail; has more black on the legs, including black on the hind legs that the beisa oryx does not have; and has more black on the lower flanks.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSh5GVm0fsREKq6wISEn3wRlYFO1YIQ9i6ani1oa3SYOETsmhtgd7-hEbH4o0HNFcXVZ0raKmhHSV1xGSv17BYnCxmFjRFjLsYTq04WCIyYqRFWawo62Pq8P_b5C7iiYdMH5sIZHxduo/s400/10+gemsbok.jpg) |
The black patch at the base of the tail, the all-black tail and black on the back legs are three distinguishing characteristics from the beisa oryx. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBq_fQWqshgFOUmx8RhEy2wtzAHLyQcefL7tzTxp4Ia5paN6u_Mn-Mt8DcvgQCoHBDmFu_3SVPcgL0FAY_6dWAqchjS2wdBXso6jQ9BvVGNjii_EpViweIT9UrdfEE14esxWt_wVb89w/s400/4+gemsbok.jpg) |
At Brownii waterhole with a springbok to its left. This shows the larger flank stripe as well as the other black mentioned above and large black portions on the front legs. |
It is found in the arid regions of southern Africa, including all of Namibia, large portions of Botswana, much of northwestern South Africa, and a small portion of Zimbabwe.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQF8I_xPtZMR8PD0BUkMqBXn-foYXsG8QL9f9by-iQy9CNm32lcEZhkvfzSg7fLIcMQOnWKT5nTsiaN4QHFZMIdNIODfuHtJgRPw5Grmet3TOP3pDu6cGXixRC8nR8vBc1V5QYFDqyu8/s400/1+gemsbok.jpg) |
In the late afternoon golden light on the way to Okondeka waterhole. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvkKQsNDewp4fqp2QHuW3OZvD2i5sjisco-KV5GBMIQDSbLCQRnvqBTRlteBpFEVBYnUUPn7FfRBkteKZCOghh116QmGmhpBsmR6kcl3dCSNuS2j2uI48RtE8-DxNiHRn6pSivEsWij8/s400/5+gemsbok.jpg) |
At Brownii waterhole. |
We saw them in Etosha NP in Namibia, particularly at the Okaukuejo waterhole, on our drive out to Okondeka waterhole, and at Nebrownii waterhole.
I love the muscular upper back--a little like an American bison. Their faces, however, are more like an African mask.
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