The scimitar‑horned oryx is a striking desert antelope with a mostly white coat that helps reflect the harsh sun, contrasted by a reddish-tan neck and chest and dark markings on the forehead and nose. Both males and females carry long, slender horns that curve gracefully backwards, a signature feature that gives the species its name. Its body structure is built for desert survival: broad hooves that prevent it from sinking into sand, and a coat color that provides camouflage in arid landscapes.