The Thomson’s gazelle, gazella thomsonii, is the most abundant gazelle species in East Africa. They stand 22 to 28 inches (55 to 70 centimeters) tall at the shoulder, while their heads and bodies measure 2.6 to 4 feet (80 to 120 centimeters) long. Males are noticeably heavier than females, weighing up to 77 pounds (35 kilograms), while females weigh up to 55 pounds (25 kilograms). Males have strongly ridged horns that curve backwards while females have either short, smooth, thin horns or no horns at all. Both genders of “tommies” (as they are often called), have a black band that runs along the sides of their bodies, separating their brownish to reddish upper parts from their clean, white under parts.
The Thomson’s gazelle can be found in central and southern Kenya as well as northern Tanzania. They will inhabit open grasslands and acacia savannah, preferring grazed, trampled or even burnt grasslands. They live in herds consisting purely of males (bucks) or females (doe), which may contain as many as 100 individuals. There are also herds of tommies which have both bucks and doe and they may have as many as 700 individuals. The Thomson’s gazelle is one of the 3 species that make up the Serengeti migration (along with wildebeests and zebras), with over 500,000 separate ‘tommies’ gathering together to make the journey.
The diet of a Thomson’s gazelle consists almost entirely of grasses, with shrubs and seeds filling in when fresh grass isn’t available. They get the majority of their water from the food they eat, but will make round trips of 10 miles (16 kilometers) or more to find drinking water during the dry season. Tommies are an important source of food for many predators such as lions, hyenas, wild dogs, jackals, cheetahs as well as pythons and birds of prey (who feed on the young ones). As a result, herds are always on the lookout for predators and will warn others in the area if one is spotted. Their only real defense is to run away, which this creature can do with great efficiency, often outmaneuvering its attacker.
Breeding for the Thomson’s gazelle occurs twice a year, although births will take place all year long. Males will establish territories and fight off other males while mating with any receptive females that may wander in. Females will give birth to a single offspring (called a calf) after a gestation period of 188 days. A mother will hide its calf in tall grasses while she goes out to feed, periodically coming back to nurse it. Calves will often play with one another whenever their herd gathers together. If the little ones can survive long enough, then they can live to be anywhere from 10 to 15 years old.
The Thomson’s gazelle is facing decline in some areas while remaining stable in others. The greatest threat they face is the loss of their natural habitat, forcing them into increasingly smaller areas. They are protected by law in certain areas and this is a key factor in the conservation of this species. Hopefully, the Thomson’s gazelle can overcome its obstacles and begin repopulating. After all, such a unique and majestic species deserves to live and prosper far into the future.
Works Cited
“Thomsons Gazelle” 11 June 2011
“Thomson’s Gazelle (Eudorcas Thomsonii)” 11 June 2011
