Gazelle | Mammal - Encyclopedia Britannica

African gazelles

Of the three exclusively African Gazella species, two range north of the Sahara (along with the dorcas gazelle). The Atlas gazelle, also called Cuvier’s, or the edmi, gazelle (G. cuvieri), is found in the Atlas Mountains. The rhim, or slender-horned, gazelle (G. leptoceros) is the most desert-adapted African gazelle and lives in the Sahara’s great sand deserts (ergs) from Algeria to Egypt. The third indigenous species, Speke’s gazelle (G. spekei), inhabits the coastal plain of Somalia.

The dorcas gazelle, though still the most abundant and widespread of the Saharan antelopes, has been eliminated from most of its North African range. However, sizable populations survive in the Sahel from Mauritania to the Nile and in the lowlands of countries bordering the Red Sea.

Explore Britannica Premium!

The trusted destination for professionals, college students, and lifelong learners.

SUBSCRIBE

1 of 2

2 of 2

Thomson’s gazelle (Eudorcas thomsonii) is still common in East Africa and abundant in the Serengeti ecosystem of Tanzania. An isolated species, the Mongalla gazelle (E. albonotata), occurs in eastern South Sudan and southwestern Ethiopia. The red-fronted gazelle (E. rufifrons) is a Sahel version of Thomson’s gazelle but is distinguished by a more rufous colour and a reddish border between the narrow black flank stripe and white underparts.

The dama gazelle (Nanger dama) is the largest gazelle, weighing up to 75 kg (165 pounds) and standing up to 120 cm (47 inches) at the shoulder. Formerly common in the grasslands and subdesert of the Sahel from Mauritania to Sudan, it now exists only in endangered remnant populations. This gazelle is unusual both for its form and for geographic variations in its colour pattern, which range from predominately rufous with extensive white underparts, rump, legs, and head in the west (N. dama mhorr) to nearly white in the east (N. dama ruficollis).

Grant’s gazelle (N. granti) has the largest horns (up to 80 cm [31 inches]) and is still widespread both in and outside protected areas through most of its range from South Sudan to central Tanzania. Soemmering’s gazelle (N. soemmeringii) inhabits the arid savanna country of northeast Africa, where it is the ecological equivalent of Grant’s gazelle. Clark’s gazelle (Ammordorcas clarkei) of northeast Africa is also known as the dibatag.