Saudi gazelle

The mountain gazelle (Gazella gazella) belongs to the order Artiodactyla, family Bovidae, and genus Gazella. It inhabits the arid and semi‑arid landscapes of the Arabian Peninsula, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, Yemen, and parts of the Levant. Within Saudi Arabia the species occupies open desert plains, rocky foothills, and sparse shrublands where vegetation is patchy but sufficient for grazing. Adults are slender, standing 75‑95 cm at the shoulder, with a short, reddish‑brown coat that lightens on the belly and flanks. Both sexes bear slender, backward‑curving horns; males’ horns are thicker and longer (up to 45 cm). The mountain gazelle is adapted to extreme temperatures, obtaining most of its water from succulent plants. Although once abundant, its range has contracted dramatically; the IUCN currently lists it as Near Threatened. Conservation measures in Saudi Arabia include protected reserves such as the Mahazat al‑Mahzar and the Harrat al‑Bidda, anti‑poaching patrols, and community‑based grazing management to reduce competition with livestock.

Mountain gazelles are primarily diurnal, active during early morning and late afternoon when temperatures are moderate. They form small, fluid groups of 5‑20 individuals, typically composed of several females, their offspring, and a single dominant male that defends a core territory of 2‑5 km². Subordinate males occupy peripheral zones and may form bachelor groups. Social cohesion is maintained through visual cues, synchronized grazing, and low‑frequency alarm bleats that alert the herd to predators such as Arabian wolves and golden eagles. Scent marking via preorbital glands and urine patches delineates individual territories. During the hot summer months gazelles seek shade under shrubs and reduce activity to conserve water, while in cooler seasons they travel longer distances to locate fresh forage.

The mountain gazelle is a strict herbivore, feeding on a diverse array of desert vegetation. Its diet consists of grasses (e.g., Stipa spp., Panicum spp.), leaves of dwarf shrubs such as Artemisia and Haloxylon, and seasonal forbs. During the dry season, it supplements its intake with succulent shoots and the occasional fruit of desert shrubs, which provide essential moisture. An adult consumes roughly 2‑3 % of its body weight in dry matter per day, adjusting intake based on water availability. Gazelles employ a selective grazing strategy, preferring young, nutrient‑rich shoots and avoiding mature, fibrous stems. They also practice rumination, allowing efficient extraction of nutrients from low‑quality forage typical of arid habitats.

Sexual maturity is reached at 1.5‑2 years for females and 2‑3 years for males. Breeding occurs seasonally from November to March, coinciding with the brief winter rains that stimulate plant growth. Mating is polygynous; dominant males court multiple females through a series of short chases and vocalizations. Gestation lasts approximately 5.5 months, after which a single fawn is born, weighing 3‑4 kg. Newborns are concealed in vegetation for the first 24‑48 hours, after which the mother returns to nurse. Fawns are weaned at about three months but remain with the mother for up to a year before dispersing. Juvenile mortality can reach 30 % in drought years, primarily due to predation and scarcity of forage.

The IUCN classifies Gazella gazella as Near Threatened, with an estimated global population of 30,000‑35,000 individuals; Saudi Arabia is thought to host 2,000‑3,000 of these. Primary threats include habitat loss from expanding agriculture, urban development, and infrastructure projects that fragment the desert landscape. Overgrazing by domestic livestock reduces the availability of high‑quality forage and increases competition for water sources. Illegal hunting for meat and trophies, though reduced by law, still occurs in remote areas. Climate change exacerbates drought frequency, limiting plant productivity and water availability, which in turn raises mortality rates, especially among fawns. Conservation actions focus on expanding protected areas, enforcing anti‑poaching laws, and promoting sustainable livestock management to mitigate competition.

• Gazella gazella can run at speeds up to 80 km/h to evade predators.
• Their horns are shed annually and regrown, a rare trait among bovids.
• They obtain up to 80 % of their water needs from the moisture in plants.
• Mountain gazelles have a unique double‑layered retina that enhances vision in bright desert sunlight.
• Historically, they were a key source of meat for Bedouin tribes, leading to cultural hunting traditions.