GRANT'S GAZELLE Gazella granti MAMMAL Order Artiodactyla Description 5-6 ft long; 75-100 lbs, male larger. Fawn upper parts, -white underparts with prominent black stripe along side of white rump; tail white with black tip. S-shaped ringed horns 18-32 in, smaller in female. Range Tanzania, Kenya and parts of Ethiopia, Somalia and Sudan. Photo © James P. Rowan Photography

Ecology Habitat semi-desert to open savanna. Niche herbivorous mixed feeder, but prefers to browse, taking grasses, herbs and woody plants. Predators of young include jackals and hyenas; large cats prey on adults. Usually found in small, mixed groups of up to 30 except during breeding season when males are territorial. Life History Gestation 6 months, single births coincide with early rains. Young are up and moving with mother in less than an hour. Life span 10- 12 yrs, longer in captivity. Special Adaptations Two-tone coloration acts as A countershading to obscure the body outline. Black along flank disrupts body outline as well. Large ears can rotate to pick up sound from many directions. Eyes on side of head give a wide field of vision. Long legs and hooves enable animal to run fast. Pronking behavior: bouncing stiff-legged on all four limbs. This behavior may confuse predators or intimidate rivals, or it may just be an expression of excitement.