17 Types of Gazelles: SpeciesFacts and Photos

With their impressive speed and subtle elegancegazelles are unforgettable. These hoofed animals belong to a diverse family with numerous species classified under three genera. This article explores the different types of gazellesexamining their habitatsappearancesand other features. 

From subtle distinctions in coat patterns to distinctive environmental adaptationsjoin us as we navigate their world.

Related Read: Types of Antelope.

Taxonomic Classification

Gazelles are part of the antelope family belonging to Bovidaewhich includes other hoofed mammalssuch as goats and buffaloes. 

Moreoverthe gazelle family tree has three main branches: GazellaEudorcasand Nanger. 

The genus Gazella is the biggest and most variedwith species like the DorcasGoiteredand Mountain Gazelles found in the deserts and grasslands of Africa and Asia. 

Meanwhilethe Eudorcas gazelleswhich include the Thomson's and Red-fronted gazellesare bulkier and prefer the sprawling savannas of Sub-Saharan Africa. 

Finallythe Nanger genus consists of the Grant's and Dama Gazellesknown for their long legs and dramatic facial markings. They live in the East African grasslands and savannas.

Furthermoreother antelope species are closely related to these true gazellesfalling under the Procapra genus. It includes Mongolian GazelleTibetan Gazelle or GoaIndian Antelopeand African springbok.

17 Types of Gazelle Species

Quick links to the different types of gazelle:

1. Dorcas Gazelle (Gazella dorcas)

The Dorcas Gazelle inhabits the Sahara and Arabian deserts. It is petiteagileswiftand has a light brown coat that is perfect camouflage. Featuring long ears and distinctly arched horns that curve outward before bending forward at the tipsit exhibits clear distinguishing features. This species primarily feeds on leavesflowersand acacia tree pods. 

Moreoverthe Dorcas Gazelle is solitaryand males are territorial. Females give birth to a single fawn after a six-month gestation period. 

2. Goitered Gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa)

The Goitered Gazellealso known as the Black-tailed Gazellelives in the arid regions of Central Asia. They are opportunistic eatersconsuming grassesleavesshootsfruitsand flowers. 

During breedingmale gazelles develop large neck lumps or 'goiters' to attract females and warn off rivals. Males also have horns that start close together at the base and gradually curve apart. 

Unlike other gazellesfemales usually lack horns. Additionallythey feature long ears and large black eyes.

3. Chinkara or Indian Gazelle (Gazella bennettii)

The Chinkaraalso known as the Indian Gazelleis well-adapted to arid environments in IranAfghanistanPakistanand India. Despite its sizeit is strong and agile and has a simple diet of grassesleavesand fruits. It can also stay hydrated with minimal water intake. 

It has a reddish-brown coat and is one of the smallest members of the gazelle family. Both male and female Indian gazelles possess hornsbut they are notably shorter in females. The horns are straightringed prominentlyand have slightly out-turned tips.

Breeding season is between September and November; females give birth to one or two fawns after six months. 

4. Mountain Gazelle (Gazella gazella)

Nestled within rocky mountains or swiftly navigating grasslandsthe Mountain Gazelle lives. 

Despite its namethis creature also thrives in deserts and savannasshowcasing impressive adaptability. Stretching from the dry expanses of AlgeriaTunisiaand Moroccothe Mountain Gazelle's habitat is as diverse as it is vast.

Moreoversexual dimorphism also characterizes this specieswith both males and females possessing hornsalthough the males' horns are longer and more pronounced.

Due to a steep 70% decline in their numbers from 10,000 in 2001 to around 3,000 in 2013the Mountain Gazelle is now classified as Endangered¹. Ongoing threats include poachingaccidental road killsand degradation and fragmentation of their natural habitats.

5. Speke's Gazelle (Gazella spekei)

Speke's Gazelle is a small and sturdy species thriving in the arid landscapes of Ethiopia and Somalia. The British explorer John Hanning Speke documented them and gave them their name. 

These gazelles are smallagileand robust and have a unique way of bounding high into the air with stiff legs known as "pronking" or "stotting." They eat grassherbsand shrubsand their breeding season coincides with the rainy season. 

After a gestation period of almost six monthsfemales give birth to a single fawn. Mother gazelles hide their newborns for the first few weeks of life and only appear to nurse them. 

UnfortunatelySpeke's Gazelles are an endangered species. In Somaliagazelle numbers are rapidly decreasing due to uncontrolled huntingdroughtsand habitat degradation resulting from overgrazing. Over three generationsthis gazelle species has an estimated 50% rate of decline due to reduced rangedeteriorating habitat qualityand increased exploitation.

6. Rhim Gazelle (Gazella leptoceros)

The Rhim Gazelle lives in the Sahara and Sahel regions. It has developed remarkable adaptations to survive in the desertsuch as its sandy coat that provides excellent camouflage. Male gazelles sport thinsubtly S-shaped hornswhile the females have them thinner and slightly straight. 

Moreoverthe Rhim Gazelle mainly consists of leavesshootsand fruits from desert plantsbut during droughtsit switches to eating drythorny shrubs. This animal can also extract moisture from the desert plants it consumesallowing it to survive prolonged periods without water. 

The Slender-horned Gazelle is listed as Endangeredwith its population estimated to be less than 600. The sparse populations inhabit only a fraction of the species' initial range and remain highly fragmented and isolated. Although poaching is suspected as a significant driver behind the population's decline to critically endangered statusthere is only limited field data to substantiate this claim.

7. Cuvier's Gazelle (Gazella cuvieri)

The Cuvier's Gazelle is the only gazelle living in mountainous regionsspecifically the Atlas Mountains of AlgeriaTunisiaand Morocco. As the smallest gazelleit stands 23 to 27 inches tall and weighs around 77 pounds. 

A distinctive dark band separates its brown upper body from the lighter lower body - a feature meant to help camouflage the animal by counteracting its own shadow. This gazelle has longlean earsand both genders have hornsalbeit those on males are bulkier and more ridged.

They primarily feed on leavestwigsshoots of shrubs and treesgrassesand herbs. Additionallythey live in intimate groups of up to ten individualsalthough males may lead a solitary existence. 

8. Arabian Sand Gazelle (Gazella marica)

The Arabian Sand Gazelle lives in the Arabian Peninsula. It has a light sandy coat that helps it blend into the desert landscape and has sharp senses that allow it to navigate the arid terrain. 

This gazelle is most active during the cooler hours of dawn and dusk and feeds on desert vegetation. It has a special stomach that extracts nutrients efficiently. To cope with the heatit also digs shallow depressions in the sand to rest. 

9. Arabian Gazelle (Gazella arabica)

Arabian gazelle inhabits the arid deserts of the Arabian Peninsula. It displays sandy coats that blend into their surroundings and dark facial stripes for added camouflage. Both genders sport curvedringed hornsyet males boast a longer and thicker set. 

10. Erlanger's gazelle (Gazella erlangeri)

Erlanger's gazelleresiding in Saudi Arabia and Yemen⁴is also known as Neumann's gazelle. Morphologically different from Mountain gazellesits classification sparks debateas some consider it a distinct specieswhile others argue it's a subspecies.

11. Saudi Gazelle (Gazella saudiya)

The Saudi Gazelle was a medium-sized creature that lived in the Arabian Peninsula. It was well-adapted to the desert environmentwith a light brown coatwhite underbellyand a unique black stripe running down its body.

Some consider them a subspecies of Dorcas Gazelle but genetic analysis proves they are distinct species. Unfortunatelydue to excessive huntingIUCN considered Saudi Gazelles extinct since 2008²with the last sightings in 1970. Investigations reveal that alleged captive individuals are either different species or hybrids.

12. Queen of Sheba's Gazelle (Gazella bilkis)

The Queen of Sheba's Gazelleor Yemen Gazellewas unique in the Arabian Peninsulamainly Yemen. Some consider it a subspecies of Arabian Gazelle. Experts remain unsure about its specific status due to conflicting DNA analysis. 

After five specimens were found in 1951no additional sightings were reported. Since Queen of Sheba's Gazelle is already extinctthere is no more chance to study if it is a distinct species.

13. Thomson's Gazelle (Eudorcas thomsonii)

Thomson's Gazellealso known as 'Tommie,' lives in the savannas and grasslands of East Africa. It has light-brown coats with a black stripe. Both genders have backward-curving horns that are highly ringed with forward-facing tips. Howeverfemale gazelle horns are shorter.

These African gazelles feed mainly on fresh grass during wet seasons and leaves from woody plants during dry periods. Although their major predatorcheetahscan achieve higher speedsthese gazelles can outrun them in prolonged pursuits and can maneuver faster.

14. Red-fronted Gazelle (Eudorcas rufifrons)

The Red-fronted Gazelle inhabits the Sahel zone in Africa. They prefer grasslands and shrublandsand their reddish-brown heads and upper bodies help them blend into their environment. 

Males have longcurved hornswhile females often lack this feature. Their diet consists of grassesleavesand shootsbut they adjust their food preferences during the dry season by grazing on available woody plants.

15. Soemmerring's Gazelle (Nanger soemmerringii)

The Soemmerring's Gazelle is a medium-sized gazelle found in DjiboutiEritreaEthiopiaSomaliaand Sudan. Males are larger than females and have longcurved hornswhile females have shorter horns. 

They are active during dawn and duskand they are also swift sprinters. Moreoverthey primarily feed on grassesleavesand shoots. 

They face challenges such as habitat losshuntingand competition with livestock but have survived due to their resilience. They currently hold a vulnerable status.

16. Grant's Gazelle (Nanger granti)

The Grant's Gazelle is a medium-sized antelope found in East Africaparticularly in KenyaEthiopiaSudanand Tanzania. They have light tan fura white underbellyand a black stripe running down their flanks. Males have longringed horns used for dominance battles. 

17. Dama Gazelle (Nanger dama)

The Dama Gazellealso known as Mhorr gazelle or Addra gazellelives in the arid expanses of the Sahara desert and the Sahel. 

Their longslender legs and an elongated neck are considered survival tools that help them spot predators from a distance. They have a unique coat of white and reddish-brown on the head and neckallowing them to blend with the sandy and shrubby terrain. 

Unfortunatelythese gazelle animals are critically endangered³ due to extreme huntingdisturbanceand expanded grazing. The outlook is concerningwith fewer than 200 mature individuals remaining in five isolated and diminishing subpopulations.