Aoudads are found in dry mountainous areas where they graze and are able to obtain most of their water needs through their food. They are crepuscular, which means they are active in the early morning and late afternoon and rest during the middle of the day. They are also very agile and can achieve a standing jump of over seven feet.

They graze and feed on grasses, bushes and lichens and are able to get moisture from food. If liquid water is available, they will drink it, but they do not need it to survive.

They have a long breeding season lasting from mid-September to mid-November. Most lambs are born from late February to late April, after a gestation period of 160 days. In the wild, they have a life span of about 10 to 14 years but can live up to 20 years in captivity.

They freeze in the presence of danger to appear unnoticed to their predators. Their main predators were the Barbary leopard, lion and caracal, but presently humans are the greatest threat to their populations.

They are naturally found in northern Africa, specifically in Algeria, Tunisia and parts of Chad, Egypt, Libya, northern Mali, Morocco, Niger and parts of the Sudan.