bovidae
Subfamily: Antilopinae
Artiodactyla
Mammalia
About 180 days.
1
ESB
Herbivores based mainly on small grasses, they also feed on twigs, seeds and tree leaves, especially during the dry season.
10 years
Thomson's Gazelles are small gazelles that measure between 55-82 cm in height and weigh between 15-35 kg. They are easy to identify by the presence of a black stripe on their sides that separates their reddish-brown backs from their white bellies.
Both males and females have horns, although those of the males are somewhat larger. They have prominent preorbital glands.
They generally form groups of 5-60 individuals, although temporarily they can form associations of several hundred. Their groups join and separate easily and there does not seem to be an exclusive permanence or social hierarchy. They also form multispecies groups with impalas and Grant's gazelles.
During the breeding season, males defend small territories to which they try to attract females in search of mating opportunities.
The predators of Thomson's Gazelles are lions, hyenas, wild dogs, cheetahs, leopards and jackals. During the breeding season, the youngest individuals are easy prey for these predators, as well as for baboons and pythons.
By moving in large herds, they gain greater protection from predation, are always alert and run away quickly.
Thomson's Gazelles are exceptionally fast runners, being capable of running at speeds in excess of 70 km/h. Because cheetahs can only maintain their extraordinary speeds for short periods of time, Thomson's gazelles often manage to evade them by maintaining their speed for as long as necessary.
