Dorcas gazelle

Presentation

The Dorcas gazelle is a small, elegant antelope, perfectly adapted to the arid environments of the Sahara and the Middle East. It is distinguished by its graceful silhouette, its long slender legs and its large, expressive eyes. It is one of the most delicate and iconic gazelles of the North African deserts.

Dorcas gazelle has a light brown to gray-brown coat, paler on the sides and belly. Its horns, present in males and generally absent in females, are long, thin and slightly curved. It is also characterized by black bands on its sides and a distinctive white rear.

Characteristics

Indicative values: they vary by subspecies, sex and region.

Habitat and distribution

The Dorcas gazelle specializes in desert and semi-desert habitats, particularly sandy and stony deserts, as well as arid steppes. It prefers areas with sparse but sufficient vegetation for feeding. It can live in regions where annual rainfall is extremely low.

Behaviour

Dorcas gazelle is a diurnal and crepuscular animal, particularly active during the coolest hours of the day. It lives in small groups of 1 to 6 individuals, often females with their young. It is very fast and can reach 60 km/h to escape predators. She is also known for her remarkable endurance in the desert.

Reproduction

Dorcas gazelle reaches sexual maturity at 1.5-2 years. The rutting period generally lasts from November to December. After a gestation of approximately 165 days, the female gives birth to one or two young. Breastfeeding lasts 3 to 4 months.

Peculiarities

Dorcas gazelle has a unique physiology allowing it to live for a long time without drinking water, obtaining its hydration primarily from vegetation. Its eyes are particularly developed to detect threats at great distances. It is capable of withstanding extreme temperature variations.

Threats and conservation

The Dorcas gazelle faces several threats: habitat loss due to the degradation and fragmentation of desert areas, overgrazing, unregulated hunting, and climate change affecting the availability of water and food resources. Poaching remains a concern in some areas.

References

UICN — Liste rouge des espèces menacées

Profile updated 02 September 2026 · Reviewed by the TunisieVet editorial team.