Dorcas Gazelle (Gazella dorcas) lives in desert and savanna across North Africa and Middle East. It feeds on grasses and leaves. Its conservation status is Vulnerable.
Fascinating facts about the Dorcas Gazelle
- Dorcas gazelles are capable of sprinting at up to 80 km/h and can even push to 96 km/h when pressed. This extraordinary pace is a key defence against the cheetah, the fastest carnivore, allowing the gazelle to dart away in rapid, erratic zig-zag patterns. Their ability to accelerate so quickly gives them a vital edge in the open desert where cover is scarce, turning a brief burst of speed into a life-saving escape.
- Desert-dwelling dorcas gazelles obtain most of their moisture from succulent plants, yet they are not able to survive their whole lives without drinking water. When a water source is located, they will readily approach and drink, supplementing the water derived from their diet. This dual strategy lets them endure prolonged dry periods while still depending on occasional oases or wells to meet their full hydration needs.
- Worldwide, the wild dorcas gazelle population is estimated at only 35 000 to 40 000 individuals, a stark decline from its former abundance across Africa and Arabia. In some regions the numbers are even lower; for example, Israel hosts merely 1 000 to 1 500 gazelles. Such limited numbers mean that each individual contributes significantly to the species' survival, making conservation efforts crucial to prevent further loss.
- Dorcas gazelles are distinguished by their unusually long ears and sharply curved horns that first bow outward before curving inward and forward at the tips. They are notably smaller than their close relative, the mountain gazelle, standing only about 55-65 cm at the shoulder. Their overall body length reaches 90-110 cm and they weigh just 15-20 kg, underscoring their compact build.
- When a predator is detected, dorcas gazelles flick their tails and launch high, bounding leaps while holding their heads aloft, a visual cue that they have spotted danger. This conspicuous display often buys precious seconds for escape. Their activity is largely nocturnal, concentrating from dusk to dawn, and in areas of human hunting they become strictly night-active to avoid capture.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeNorth Africa and Middle East
HabitatDesert and savanna
DietGrasses and leaves
About the Dorcas Gazelle
Across the sun-baked dunes and rocky outcrops of the desert landscape, the Dorcas gazelle moves with a gentle, ethereal elegance, its large eyes watchful and alert as it navigates the harsh yet beautiful world it calls home. With a delicate, almost tentative gait, it picks its way through the scrubby undergrowth, its slender legs a blur as it bounds effortlessly across the sand, driven by an innate instinct to survive in this unforgiving yet majestic environment. As it runs, its tawny coat seems to glow with a soft, golden light, as if infused with the warmth and radiance of the desert itself.
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