[mawsoleum]

Mark!

[Kitsyn]

Username: Kitsyn
WME Name: Kabi
What else is a South African Oryx known as? Gemsbok
What is this equids habitat & diet like? Kabi is part of a herd that travels the Rocky mountains during the season changes. They travel along the east side of the Rockies, far north as Banff national park to avoid too hot of summers and far south as the Sangre de Cristo mountains during winter. Kabi thrives on these diverse terrains ranging from rugged rocks to lush valleys. The herd navigates steep trails, moving with a sure-footed grace. He has developed strong, muscular legs and durable hooves to withstand the rocky, uneven ground while in the mountains. He primarily grazes on hardy grasses and shrubs that grow in the valleys and meadows among the Rockies. They often find nutrient-rich forage, like alpine grasses, wildflowers, and occasional leaves, which are essential for sustaining their energy. Kabi enjoys eating bunchberries and sweet vetch when he can find them. Water sources often include mountain streams and mineral-rich snowmelt, crucial for keeping hydrated in thinner air. Kabi loves being in the forests up north the most because of the rich food vegetation and glacial waters.

[Butter Dragon]

Username: Butter Dragon
WME Name: Katlego
What else is a South African Oryx known as? Gemsbok
What is this equids habitat & diet like? Katlego lives further down the mountains than most equids, a lifestyle arising from many lost fights with lead stallions who do not wish to accommodate a loner in their territory. While the climate is not warm by any means, it is not as frigid as the higher parts many equids are used to so he has learned how to cool off on warmer days. He tends to stick towards more densely forested areas to take advantage of the shade, and in turn his diet has shifted from mostly from the potatoes, carrots, and turnips of the mountains to mostly berries and leaves which are more abundant in the forest. Every so often, however, he will venture back to mountains for a treat of his favorite - radishes. Although he cannot have it often, it is always a treat when he is able, and something he looks forward to venturing out to find after the leaves and berries have gotten too stale for his taste buds.

[-s-i-n-]

Username: cincil.
WME Name: Eryx
What else is a South African Oryx known as? gemsbok
What is this equids habitat & diet like? Eryx roamed the high cliffs and meadows of the Rocky Mountains, where life was a delicate balance between survival and fleeting beauty. In these rugged, windswept peaks, the growing season was short, and the plants that flourished here were prized delicacies, appearing only briefly before the harsh winters set in. Eryx, with his slender frame and keen senses, was attuned to the changing rhythms of the mountain flora.

Among the plants that he nibbled were edelweiss, with its woolly, star shaped petals that bloomed only for a few short weeks each summer. The sweet, delicate taste of the flowers lingered on his tongue, and he relished the rare moments when he could find them growing in the rocky crevices where he roamed. He also sought out the alpine thyme, its peppery flavor a sharp contrast to the soft grasses that covered the meadows, and the wild chanterelles, which dotted the moist forest floors in the brief summer months. The mushrooms’ earthy taste filled him with energy for the climb ahead, and when he found them, he savored each one, knowing their fleeting nature made them a rare treat.

Though Eryx didn’t need the sustenance of humans, he could sense their presence as they foraged for the same treasures—the Rocky Mountain Juniper berries and other rare plants that only appeared for a brief time before the first snows fell. These delicacies, fleeting as the seasons, mirrored his own way of life in the mountains: delicate, transient and full of wonder. When winter approached and the mountains grew quiet, Eryx curled his tail around his body for warmth, the last tastes of summer’s bounty still fresh in his mind, as he settled in for the long, still nights.

[funnyfarm96]

Username: funnyfarm96
WME Name: Eze
What else is a South African Oryx known as? Gemsbok
What is this equids habitat & diet like?
Habitat: Afromontane Grasslands / Forests and shrublands dependent on the season and weather. Afromontane Regions are often referred to “islands in the sky”.

Wet Season - He is often found at higher elevations, among the grasslands of the region. Areas are lush and Alpine meadows being to grow. An abundance of wildflowers bloom among the rocky upper outcroppings of the higher altitude.

Diet - grasses and sedges during the wet seasons. Grasses such as Kangaroo grass, Andong Grasses, hatching grasses, boat grasses, oat grasses and fescues. Early grazing of fescues and not later season growth of fescues due to the risk of fescue poisoning as it matures. Sedges such as Carex rainbowii & Carex cognata. Heaths are also a favorite during the season.

Dry season - as the Regions become more arid and dry, the grasses becoming depleted and water sources disappear. He moves to the shrublands. Seeking additional forage that have better water stocking ability. Carissa spinarum and Dodonaea angustifolia are common shrubs. Along with a multitude of berry and fruit producing shrubs and small trees. That start to have mature fruit and provide a source of hydration as well and essential nutrients.

As weather becomes harsher, and resource harder to find. He Ventures to the edges of the afromontane forests in lower elevations. Fruits can be found within as well as a variety of sedges, grass and Ferns protected by the upper stories of the forest. Characteristic trees include podocarps, Prunus africana, Hagenia abyssinica, Juniperus procera, and Olea spp. In montane forests, other tree species include Symphonia globulifera, Syzygium guineensis, and Croton stellulifer.

Diet - during the dry season diet often changes to be heavily influenced by shrubs, brush and young tree limbs. Often consuming milk brush or thorny shrubs that are left by others. Fruit when available and when in need digging up tubers or root systems to get sources of water during the drought.

Favorites - Kei Apple, wild tsama melons and cucumbers

[CopperChaos]

Username: Ovacalix
WME Name: Obasi
What else is a South African Oryx known as? Gemsbok
What is this equids habitat & diet like? Obasi is a lone stallion on the occidental side of the Sierra Madre, and he is often found scaling vertical cliffs by carefully balancing on his small but hard hooves to reach better grazing and minerals. Despite having no known relation to other resident equids, Obasi exhibits an exceptional knowledge of the region as well as the best locations to dig up Jicama, and the sweet Batata. Though his territory often endures intense summers, Obasi seems to fair very well in comparison to his peers, as the black markings under his eyes absorb great amounts of sunlight and protects him from harmful glare.

Congratulations!

This was incredibly tough to judge, I had to really nit pick information that was accurate to WMEs. You were able to include information that not only matched species information on the front adoption page/information center but also included details that draw on the animal that inspired this design. Very well done!

[Ovacalix]

COPPER AAAH
Thabk you so much ;;;; I am incredibly honored and he will be well loved forever and ever 🫶🫶😭

[Ovacalix]

Copps, may I trouble you for an unshaded and transparent version of this lovely? 🙏

[CopperChaos]

Copps, may I trouble you for an unshaded and transparent version of this lovely? 🙏

You got it boss!