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MOUNTAIN GAZELLE Gazella gazella
Identification The Mountain Gazelle is also known as the Idmi, or
Arabian Gazelle. It is a small, slender and elegant gazelle with short,
lyrate horns (25 cm) that are strongly ringed; those of ewes are more
slender and shorter than those of rams. Several races of Mountain
Gazelle are recognized that vary in colour, but all are darker coloured
above and bright white below. The neck, chest and much of the legs
are a somewhat lighter brown. A lateral line of light to darker brown
separates the upper and lower parts. On the face there are white
stripes from the eyes to the muzzle, as well as a brown blaze. The tail
is short and black-haired.
Size Shoulder height 60 cm.
Weight 12 –20 kg.
Habitat and Behaviour This gazelle has a very wide habitat
tolerance and occupies coastal plains, sand and stony desert, hill and
mountain country, and wadi bottoms. Much of its range seems to be
closely associated with acacia trees and bushes. It is most often seen
singly or in small groups, with a ram controlling a territory and the
ewes within it. Males mark their territory with piles of dung pellets
and secretions from glands in front of the eyes, which they rub on
twigs and grass stalks. The gazelles are mostly active in the day but
may feed at night, taking browse and graze equally. The young may
be born at any time of the year, but seasonal peaks occur in some
areas of the gazelle’s range.