Scientific Classification
- Common Name
- dorcas gazelle
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammalia
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Bovidae
- Genus Species
- Gazella dorcas
Fast Facts
- Description
- Smallest gazelle, long ears, light fawn with poorly-differentiated flank stripes
- Size
- Shoulder height 55 to 65 cm (21.65 to 25.5 in.), body length 90 to 110 cm (35.5 to 47.6 in.)
- Weight
- 15 to 20 kg (33 to 44 lbs.)
- Diet
- Browser, especially Acacia leaves, occasionally invertebrates
- Incubation
- 6 months
- Sexual Maturity
- No data
- Life Span
- Up to 17 years observed in zoos; wild life span unknown
- Range
- Desert and sub-desert zones
- Habitat
- Arid and semi-arid habitats; prefers rocky plains with sparse vegetation.
- Population
- Decreasing
- Status
- IUCN: Vulnerable
CITES: Not listed; cites IUCN Vulnerable status
USFWS: G. d. pelzelni listed as Endangered
Fun Facts
- Horns are present on both sexes. The horns may have up to 25 annular rings and are lyre-shaped (point outward then come in at the tips).
- Though dorcas are the smallest gazelle they are proportionately the longest limbed.
- Dorcas tend to separate into small groups but will congregate in large herds on localized resources. These herds may reach up to 100 individuals.
Ecology and Conservation
While information on dorcas gazelles is limited, they are important to the habitats where they live. As browsers these gazelles help keep vegetation from becoming overgrown. They also serve as a food source for carnivores.
Bibliography
Estes, Richard D. The Behavior Guide to African Mammals Including Hoofed Mammals, Carnivores, Primates. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press. 1991.
Estes, Richard D. The Safari Companion. Post Mills: Chelsea Green Publishing Co. 1993.
Parker, Sybil P. ed. Grimek's Encyclopedia: Mammals Vol. 5. New York: McGraw-Hill Publishing Co. 1990.
Nowak, Ronald M. Walker's Mammals of the World Fifth Edition Vol. II. Baltimore: The John University Press. 1991.
IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group. 2017. Gazella dorcas. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T8969A50186334.
