GAZELLE | hiiniafrikasafaris

Thomson Gazelle

Thomson's Gazelle: The Swift Sentinel of the Serengeti

Welcome to the fascinating world of the Thomson's gazelle, East Africa's iconic grassland antelope that captivates safari-goers with its distinctive markings and remarkable agility. As you venture across Tanzania's magnificent savannas, these elegant "Tommies" will likely be among your most frequent wildlife encounters, their tan coats with bold black stripes creating a perfect contrast against the golden grasses.

Scientific Name: Eudorcas thomsonii

IUCN Status: Near Threatened

Population: 550,000-700,000 (declining)

Population Trend: Decreasing

Primary Range: Kenya and Tanzania

Threats: Habitat conversion to agriculture, competition with livestock for grazing, Illegal hunting and poaching, predation pressure (primary prey for cheetahs), disease transmission from livestock, drought, and climate change impacts

Social Structure

Female herds: 10-30 with young

Males: Territorial males defend 2-3 km² areas

Bachelor herds: 5-50 non-territorial male

Mixed migration herds: Can reach hundreds

Communication: Visual: Tail flicking when alert, Visual: Stotting to signal danger, Visual: Head bobbing as a territorial display (males), Olfactory: Scent marking via preorbital glands, Olfactory: Urine spraying by territorial males, Olfactory: Dung middens to mark territories, Acoustic: Snorts when alarmed, Acoustic: Soft bleats between mothers and calves, Physical: Mutual grooming to reinforce bonds

Reproduction

Gestation: 5-6 months, single calf per birth

Calving seasons: Jan-Feb and Jun-Jul, calves hidden first few weeks

Behavior

"Stotting" (bouncing) when alarmed
Speed: 80-96 km/h (50-60 mph)
Sharp direction changes to evade predators
Graze on short grasses

Speed & Movement

Top speed: 80-96 km/h (50-60 mph)

Sustained running: Can maintain 50-65 km/h for 15+ Acceleration: 0-45 km/h in under 3 seconds

Jump height: Can leap up to 2m vertically during stotting

Endurance: Outlasts most predators except wild dog

Agility: Can make 90° turns at 50+ km/h

Thomson Gazelle Behaviors to Watch For

Territorial Displays: Males chase rivals, head bob, thrash vegetation with horns • Courtship: Males follow females with extended neck, flehmen response (lip curl) • Predator Response: Stotting, zigzag running, mob formation • Mothering: Females hide newborns, return to nurse, gentle nudging • Play: Young gazelles chase, mock-fight, practice stotting •Vigilance: Taking turns watching while others graze • Dominance: Horn displays, parallel walking, occasional clashes

Thomson Gazelle Identification

Appearance: A body with a black horizontal stripe, white rump with black border, and black stripe from eye to nose. Males: S-shaped ringed horns (15-25cm), Females: Shorter horns or none

Size

Males: Shoulder height: 60-82cm (24-32 inches), Weight: 20-35kg (44-77 lbs), Body length: 90-120cm (35-47 inches), Horn length: 15-25cm (6-10 inches), S-shaped with rings

Females: Shoulder height: 55-70cm (22-28 inches), Weight: 15-25kg (33-55 lbs), Body length: 80-110cm (31-43 inches), Horns: Shorter (7-15cm) or absent, Sexual dimorphism: Males 20-30% larger than females

Distinctions: Vs. Grant's Gazelle

Smaller overall size (Grant's: 70-95cm at shoulder)
Black border on white rump (Grant's: all-white rump)
Shorter horns (Grant's: up to 80cm, more lyrate)
Black horizontal flank stripe (Grant's: no stripe)
Some Grants have black stripes on their flanks

Vs. Impala:

Smaller than impala (impala: 75-95cm at shoulder)
Black and white rump (impala: solid tan rump)
Different horn shape (impala: lyre-shaped, no rings)
Different face markings (impala: no distinct facial stripe)

Vs. Springbok:

No dorsal fold/fan (springbok: distinctive white fan on back)
Different geographic range (springbok: southern Africa)

Safari Viewing Tips

DO's:

Use binoculars/zoom lenses
Stay quiet and still
Watch for alarm behaviors