AnimalID

Name

5031

Gemsbok

LocationName:

Africa

Origin:

Original ZT

PurchaseCost:

$900

RequiresResearch:

No

IsClimber:

No

IsJumper:

Yes

 

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

 

Description:

Gemsbok are the largest of the straight-horned African antelopes. They range in small herds of variable size. Gemsbok are striking animals, with distinctive black stripes marking their faces, throats, and backs. Their horns are very long and straight. Gemsbok have excellent eyesight, hearing, and smell.

The gemsbok is found in arid regions ranging from eastern to southwestern Africa. It prefers semi-desert areas with sparse vegetation and tree coverage. Gemsbok are herbivores, grazing at night when plants have a higher water content. These animals supplement their diet with moisture-rich wild melons, roots, and tubers. In zoos, they are fed grass hay, herbivore pellets, and carrots.

The gemsbok is an animal that is peculiarly adapted to a dry, hot climate. Rather than cooling its body though perspiration when the air temperature increases, the gemsbok's body temperature will rise as well. After several hours, the gemsbok's body will radiate this excess heat. Should their bodies reach too high a temperature, the gemsbok may cool off by panting. Its kidneys and circulatory system are also adapted for water conservation and heat regulation. Gemsbok can endure temperatures ranging from 99° F to 113° F. Experts at locating water sources, gemsbok will dig into dried river beds to expose hidden ground water.

Although the gemsbok is one of the slower gazelles and will prefer to make a stand, even against large predators, it can run faster than a swift horse when necessary. Predators of the gemsbok include lions, spotted hyenas, leopards, and wild dogs. Gemsbok can be dangerous prey. It is reported that their long, sharp horns can fend off even a hungry lion.

A gemsbok has two threatening postures: the head held high, with a slow ducking head motion; and head lowered, with horn tips pointing at the opponent. When nervous because of the proximity of predators, members of the herd may begin an exaggerated trot, with erect heads swinging from side to side. An angry gemsbok will stamp its feet and jerk its head.

Following birth, a newborn gemsbok immediately hides itself. Its mother will be very cautious when visiting the calf to nurse it and will move her offspring to a new location each morning. The calf and mother will not rejoin the herd for about six weeks. These animals reproduce well in captivity.

Attractiveness Adult:

Attractiveness Young:

Initial Happiness:

Habitat Preference:

10

30

60

60

Captivity:

Crowd:

CrowdHappiness Change:

ClimbsCliffs:

5

30

-5

No

 

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

 

To build a good animal exhibit you need to ask a few questions: (click them for the answers)

Which fence is suitable for this animal in terms of strength, if it can be climbed or jumped over?

How big should the exhibit be and what Terrain should be used?

What foliage should be used?

What rocks should be used?

What shelter does the animal need?

What toy does the animal like?

How deep should the exhibit be if using the "Pit Method"?

1 level

 

FenceName

Purchase Cost

Height

Strength

Life

Cost Effective

Stick Pole Fence

$75

2

225

12

16.0

Stick Pole Window Fence

$75

2

225

12

16.0

Chain-link Fence

$70

2

200

10

14.3

Post and Rail Fence

$90

2

250

12

13.3

Wood Slat Window Fence

$110

2

240

12

10.9

Wooden Slat Fence

$110

2

240

12

10.9

Rock Wall Fence

$150

2

280

14

9.3

Rock Window Fence

$150

2

280

14

9.3

Concrete Chain Fence

$150

2

275

14

9.3

Plexiglas Fence

$150

2

270

13

8.7

Iron Bar Fence

$180

2

290

14

7.8

Concrete Fence

$200

2

300

15

7.5

Reinforced Concrete Fence

$225

3

460

16

7.1

Reinforced Concrete and Glass Fence

$225

3

420

15

6.7

Concrete and Iron Bar Fence

$240

3

440

15

6.3

Electrified Chain-link Fence

$300

3

480

18

6.0

Electrified Iron Bar Fence

$350

3

400

18

5.1

 

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

 

Animal Density

Min

Number of Animals/Exhibit

Max

20

3

 

15

Terrain Name

Value

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Sand

70

14

28

42

56

70

84

98

112

126

140

Savannah grass

15

3

6

9

12

15

18

21

24

27

30

Dirt

10

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

Fresh water

5

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Rocks

2

2

3

5

6

8

10

11

13

14

16

Foliage

3

1

1

2

2

3

4

4

5

5

6

Elevation

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Exhibit Size

100

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

 

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

 

ID

Value

TreeName

Foliage Effect

Cost/ Square

Cost Effective

7010

3

Palm Tree

24

$300

8.0

7033

7

Quiver Tree

10

$210

4.8

7039

3

Prickly Pear Cactus

6

$125

4.8

 

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

 

ID

Value

RockName

Size X

Size Y

Rock

Rock Effect

Purchase Cost

Cost Effective

9222

6

Desert Rock Formation

6

4

Yes

9

$300

3.0

9206

2

Small Rock

1

1

Yes

8

$55

14.5

9205

2

Medium Rock 

1

1

Yes

8

$75

10.7

9200

4

Large Rock

2

2

Yes

4

$150

2.7

 

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

 

Shelter ID

Shelter Name

Shelter Value

Shelter Effect

Purchase Cost

Capacity

Requires Research

8115

Large Stable

25

15

$700

5

Yes

8114

Stable

20

10

$500

3

 

8109

Large Concrete Shelter

18

8

$225

6

Yes

8112

Large Wood Shelter 

18

8

$325

6

Yes

8108

Concrete Shelter

16

6

$175

4

 

8111

Wood Shelter

16

6

$225

4

 

8113

Small Stable

15

5

$300

2

 

8107

Small Concrete Shelter

13

3

$125

2

 

8110

Small Wood Shelter

13

3

$175

2

 

 

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

 

ToyID

ToyName

ToyValue

PurchaseCost

 

 none

 

 

 

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

 

ReproductionChance:

High

SickChance:

3

ReproductionInterval(months):

5

SickChange:

-8

HappyReproduceThreshold:

90

DeathChance:

10

Offspring:

1

TimeDeath(months):

24

BabyToAdult(months):

2

 

 

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

 

Compatible Animals

Prey Animals

Giraffe

2

KeeperFoodType:

Hay

African Buffalo

2

none

Common Wildebeest

2

 

Hippopotamus

2

Thomsons Gazelle

2

 

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?