Details
Eudorcas thomsonii
A small, agile gazelle of East African grasslands. The black side stripe, white belly, and swift running are characteristic.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
Thomson's gazelles inhabit short-grass plains, dry savannas, and open grasslands, especially in Kenya and Tanzania. They track areas of fresh growth.
They have a tan back, white belly, black flank stripe, and bold facial pattern. Both sexes have horns, but male horns are heavier and longer.
They forage by day in herds and may stot or bound when alarmed. Herds often use feeding areas opened by larger grazers.
They graze mainly on short grasses, with young leaves and seeds added seasonally. Selective feeding helps them persist in dry open habitats.
Breeding is influenced by rainfall and grass growth. Females give birth to a single fawn that stays hidden between nursing visits.
Their speed and sharp turns help them evade cheetahs and other predators, though fawns remain vulnerable during the hiding stage.
