Mammals of North Africa and the Middle East (Pocket Photo Guides)

(Elliott) #1

24


Size Shoulder height 75 cm.
Weight 2 2–42 kg.


Habitat and Behaviour This is a gazelle of sand dunes, sand and gravel
plains, and upland plateaux, but not mountain country. It penetrates
deeply into sand seas such as the Rub al’Khali in southern Saudi
Arabia. Within its Iranian range it mainly occupies semi-desert and
desert fringes. It lives in small herds numbering 2–10 animals; larger
groups may gather temporarily at productive feeding grounds. Unlike
other gazelle species, Sand Gazelles run in tight formation with neck
outstretched and short black tail held erect. They eat small shrubs and
grass, and apparently rarely browse. Most lambs are dropped in the
cooler months in March–May over much of the gazelle’s range. Usually
a single lamb is born, but twins are not uncommon.


Sand Gazelle ewe of the western population


Sand Gazelle ram has heavier horns than female


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