The Dorcas gazelle, also known as the ariel gazelle, is a small and common antelope adapted to some of Earth’s most challenging environments. This desert-dwelling species thrives in arid landscapes. It lives across North Africa and the Middle East, navigating harsh conditions. Its physical attributes and survival strategies allow it to live in extreme climates.
Appearance and Where It Lives
The Dorcas gazelle is a small antelope, standing about 55–65 cm (1.8–2.1 feet) at the shoulder, with a head and body length ranging from 90–110 cm (3–3.5 feet) and a weight of 15–20 kg (33–44 pounds). Its coat color varies, with some populations displaying very pale fur and others darker. A distinctive feature is the white underside, bordered by a brown stripe, above which lies a sandy stripe, and its forehead and face are generally darker than the rest of its body.
Both male and female Dorcas gazelles possess ridged, lyre-shaped horns. Male horns are longer, measuring 25-38 cm (10-15.2 inches), curving sharply backward before turning inward and forward at the tips. Female horns are thinner, straighter, and shorter, usually 15-25 cm (6-10 inches) long. These gazelles inhabit arid and semi-arid environments, including grasslands, steppes, wadis, and mountain deserts. They are well-suited to these dry areas, enduring high temperatures and intense sunlight.
What It Eats and How It Behaves
The Dorcas gazelle is a herbivore, primarily eating leaves, flowers, and pods of acacia trees, along with other desert bushes. In dry conditions, they specifically seek out browse, like acacia, for its moisture. These gazelles are highly adapted to desert life and obtain most of their moisture from plants, sometimes digging for bulbs after rain. While they can survive without free-standing water, they will drink when available.
Their activity patterns are influenced by temperature. Gazelles are most active from dusk to dawn during very hot periods to avoid extreme heat. In milder temperatures, they may be active throughout the day.
Socially, Dorcas gazelles have flexible group structures. They may live in pairs when conditions are harsh, but form family herds with one adult male, several females, and their young when resources are abundant. Males become territorial during the mating season, which occurs from September to November, marking their areas with dung piles.
Its Status in the Wild
The Dorcas gazelle’s conservation status is a concern, with its population declining by an estimated 50% in recent decades. It is classified as vulnerable due to substantial threats in its natural habitats. Primary dangers stem from human activities, particularly habitat destruction and fragmentation.
Expanding human settlements and agricultural intensification encroach upon their natural territories, limiting their access to food and water resources. Illegal hunting also poses a major threat, significantly reducing their numbers. Climate change further complicates survival, as rising temperatures and altered precipitation impact vegetation and water availability, challenging the gazelle’s adaptability.
Conservation efforts include establishing protected areas, such as national parks and wildlife reserves, which offer safe havens. Captive breeding programs and reintroduction initiatives, like those in Senegal, aim to bolster wild populations and ensure the long-term survival of this desert antelope.