Soemmerring's gazelle

Soemmerring's gazelle (Nanger soemmerringii, formerly Gazella soemmerringii) is a gazelle found in the Horn of Africa (Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia). It is no longer present in Sudan.

Subspecies

Traditionally, three subspecies are recognized:

The dwarf population on Dahlak Kebir island might also qualify as a subspecies.

Description

Soemmerring's gazelle is a tall gazelle with tan flanks, gradually turning to white on the belly, and long black horns. They are about 75-90 cm (2.5–3.0 ft) at the shoulder, and they weigh 35–45 kg (77-99 lb). The diet of the gazelle consists of acacia and bush leaves, grasses, and herbs. They inhabit open steppes with brush and acacia, as well as steppes with few trees, and scientists suggest the males are temporarily territorial. The lifespan for this animal is up to 14 years.

In many parts of North Africa and the Middle East, large stone corrals were constructed to drive herds of gazelle into, making for an easy ambush. This method of hunting started in prehistoric time, and continued into the early part of the 20th century. At some point in history, a Soemmerring's gazelle population became isolated on Dahlak Kebir island in the Dahlak Archipelag, where the gazelle actually developed a dwarf form of the larger mainland races.