dorcas gazelle

The dorcas gazelle (Gazella dorcas) is a common gazelle found in northern Africa and parts of southwestern Asia. Gazelles are fleet, medium-sized antelopes with slender limbs and level backs. They are typically tan with white underparts and rump, a dark side stripe, and contrasting facial markings.12

Gazelles are well-adapted to arid environments, able to extract sufficient water from the plants they eat and conserve moisture through concentrated urine and fecal pellets. They also have adaptations to cope with heat, such as light-colored coats and the ability to tolerate increased body temperature.2

While traditionally classified under the genus Gazella, recent genetic studies suggest gazelles may have multiple ancestors, leading to some species being reclassified into different genera. The dorcas gazelle is one of the species that ranges across both Africa and Asia.2