The relationship between antelopes and gazelles is defined by biological classification. Every gazelle is an antelope, but not every antelope is a gazelle. A gazelle is a specific type of animal that falls under the much broader category of antelopes.
Defining the Antelope Category
The term “antelope” is not a precise biological classification. It is used to describe nearly 91 different species of hoofed, ruminant mammals found primarily in Africa and Asia that belong to the Bovidae family. Antelopes are generally defined as the species within Bovidae that are not cattle, sheep, or goats.
This broad, non-taxonomic grouping encompasses enormous diversity in size, habitat, and appearance. For example, the giant eland can weigh over 2,000 pounds, while the tiny royal antelope stands just ten inches tall. Species like the kudu, wildebeest, and impala are all considered antelopes. They are characterized by permanent, unbranched horns, which are bony cores covered in a keratin sheath, unlike the annually shed antlers of deer.
Gazelles: A Distinct Group within Antelopes
Gazelles represent a distinct grouping within the antelope category. They are classified in the Antilopini tribe, which is part of the Antilopinae subfamily. This classification indicates they share a common ancestor and specific physical traits that differentiate them from other antelopes, such as the eland or duiker.
These animals are highly adapted for life on open plains and arid environments, relying on speed and endurance. Gazelles are small-to-medium-sized antelopes, typically weighing between 33 and 165 pounds, with a slender build. They can reach speeds up to 50 miles per hour and are known for the distinctive vertical leap called stotting. In many gazelle species, both males and females possess horns, unlike in many other antelope species where horns are often only found on the males.
Key Physical Distinctions and Identification
Distinguishing a gazelle from a non-gazelle antelope relies on specific physical details and body plan. Gazelles are built for speed, exhibiting a light, narrow body frame and long, thin legs, which contrasts with the more robust builds of larger antelopes. For example, the Thomson’s gazelle rarely weighs more than 75 pounds, a fraction of the weight of a larger species like the roan antelope.
Coloration and markings provide another consistent visual identifier, particularly in African species. Many gazelles have a light, fawn-colored coat with a distinct, dark lateral stripe running along the flank, separating the tan upper body from the white underbelly. Gazelles often exhibit striking facial markings, including dark tear stripes that run from the eye down to the nose. Their horns are typically slender, ringed, and often curve slightly backward or are lyre-shaped, differing visually from the spiraled horns of a kudu or the massive, curved horns of a wildebeest.