Cuvier's gazelle

Presentation

The Cuvier's gazelle is a small, slender antelope from the arid regions of the Maghreb, characterized by its slender silhouette and ringed horns. This endemic ungulate is one of the most threatened species in North Africa, victim of excessive hunting and the degradation of its natural habitat.

Light, slender body, reddish-brown to gray coat depending on the season, white face with a characteristic brown stripe. Both males and females have ringed horns, longer and divergent in males. The long, thin legs allow for rapid running.

Characteristics

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

Habitat and distribution

Prefers rocky steppes and mountain slopes between 600 and 1500 meters above sea level. It frequents semi-desert plateaus with sparse vegetation, where it finds refuge between rocks.

Behaviour

Diurnal and crepuscular, it lives in small flocks of 2 to 6 individuals, sometimes up to 20. Very agile and fast, it can reach 80 km/h on the run. She has excellent eyesight and a keen sense of smell to detect threats.

Reproduction

Rutting period in spring, with a gestation of approximately 5 to 6 months. The female gives birth to one or two fawns after winter. The young follow the mother for a few months before becoming independent.

Peculiarities

Its ability to survive in arid environments with little water is remarkable. Its ringed horns provide excellent grip against the wind in the mountains. It has a preorbital gland which secretes an odorous liquid used to mark its territory.

Threats and conservation

Vulnerable species facing major threats: excessive hunting and poaching, degradation of steppe habitat, overgrazing by domestic livestock, and climate change reducing forage resources. The wild population has dropped drastically, estimated at less than 200 individuals.

References

UICN — Liste rouge des espèces menacées

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