Overview
Against the vast grasslands of the Serengeti, a flicker of movement may reveal a herd of Thomson’s gazelles feeding across the short grass. Small, graceful and constantly alert, they are among the most familiar antelopes of northern Tanzania’s open plains.
Their light build, powerful hindquarters and exceptional agility help them escape predators through sudden acceleration, sharp turns and high bounding leaps. Thomson’s gazelles are particularly well adapted to dry, short-grass environments and can remain on drier grazing grounds after many larger herbivores have moved towards water or greener vegetation.
They feed mainly on fresh grasses, but leaves, shoots and seeds may supplement the diet during drier periods. Herds are fluid, frequently dividing and re-forming as animals follow suitable grazing and respond to predators.
Behaviour & How to Identify
Look for a small, lightly built gazelle with a warm tan back, white underparts and a bold black stripe running along each flank. The face has pale markings around the eyes, while the white rump is bordered by dark lines and partly divided by a black tail.
Males have strongly ringed horns that curve backwards before turning slightly forwards at the tips. Females are generally smaller and may have shorter, thinner horns or occasionally none at all. Thomson’s gazelles can be distinguished from the larger Grant’s gazelle by their smaller size, prominent dark side stripe and more restricted white rump patch.
When threatened, Thomson’s gazelles may sprint in a rapid zigzag pattern or perform a series of high, stiff-legged jumps known as stotting. During each leap, all four legs are held relatively straight and leave the ground together. This conspicuous display may signal to a predator that the gazelle has detected it, is in good condition and may be difficult to catch.
Interesting facts
They can reach around 70 km/h. Their greatest advantage is not simply speed, but the ability to turn sharply and maintain a fast escape after a cheetah begins to tire.
Stotting may advertise fitness. A gazelle’s high, springing leaps can show a predator that it has been detected and may be difficult to catch.
Their herds constantly change. Individuals join and leave fluid groups as they move between feeding areas, sometimes gathering in herds numbering hundreds.