Thomson's Gazelle

During the rainy season, they eat the greenest grasses, most of the water they need. In the dry season, they browse on leaves, shoots, and shrubs.

At the Zoo, Thomson’s gazelle eat a formulated herbivore pellet, alfalfa, and browse.

Thomson’s gazelle currently inhabit a small range in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania.  

The species lives in dry, short grasslands and shrubby savannas.

Predators of Thomson's gazelles include lions, spotted hyenas, wild dogs, cheetahs, leopards, and jackals.

Certain smaller populations face threats, including illegal hunting, changes to their habitats for farming or human use, and general disturbances caused by human activities.

The Thomson's gazelle is small, with a white belly and a white patch on its back that goes to its tail. It has a horizontal black stripe on its side. The gazelle's face is reddish-brown, and it has a white stripe that runs from its eye to its nose, plus a black stripe underneath. These dark stripes help reduce the sun’s glare, making it easier for the gazelle to see. Both male and female gazelles have horns, though the females' horns are shorter. They have long legs that help them run very fast—up to 50 miles per hour! They are also very agile, which means they can quickly change direction to escape from predators.

Males defend small areas where they find food and females may gather there to eat. They can breed any time of the year.

After about six months of being pregnant, most calves are born after the rainy season when there is plenty of food available. At birth, these calves weigh between four and a half to seven pounds. They can stand and walk soon after they are born. In the first few weeks, they hide in tall grass while their mother returns to feed them. Eventually, the calves follow their mothers and the herd as they move around. If there is enough food, the mother might get pregnant again just a few weeks after giving birth.

Males mark the edges of their territories with piles of dung and secretions from the scent glands under their eyes.

Gazelles signal danger using their tails by flicking them quickly. They also stomp their feet to warn others. Sometimes, they do a move called "pronk," which combines jumping and running, to alert the rest of the herd about danger.

Females live in herds, which can have anywhere from 5 to 60 individuals, including their young. Sometimes, smaller herds combine with others, and it is common for individuals to switch herds. Male gazelles are less likely to move around and will often fight to protect their territories. During migrations in the Serengeti, Thomson’s gazelles join larger groups that also include other gazelles, wildebeests, and zebras to search for water.