| Where
in the world?
Cuvier's gazelles inhabit the semi-desert steppes of Northern Africa,
primarily Morocco, Northern Algeria and Tunia. At one time, they
possibly also occurred on the Arabian peninsula.
What are some behaviors?
Cuvier's gazelles' main defenses are a nervous alertness and great
speed. They signal alarm with a flick of the tail or snort, and
run swiftly away to a safe distance from predators.
Another gazelle feature is their "stotting"
or "pronking" gait, bounding along stiff-legged with all
four limbs landing together when playing or alarmed.
Threat displays among males start with the head
raised, chin up and horns lying along the back. They may stand anti-paralleled
with each other, heads turned away, then, at the same instant, both
whip their heads around to face each other. The next level of intensity
is a head-on approach with chin tucked in and horns vertical. They
then may lower their heads to the ground with horns pointing toward
the opponent. When fighting, their horns interlock, and they engage
in pushing or twisting.
What about offspring?
In all gazelle species, males establish territories during the breeding
season, from which they actively exclude other males while females
are receptive. Males mark their territories with urine, dung, and
secretions from their preorbital glands.
Birth occurs throughout the year, but coincide
with the vegetation flush that follows rainy seasons. Young are
either born singly or quite often twining does occur in this species.
The newborn lies outside the herd, hidden in foliage for the first
few weeks after birth. The mother will come to nurse it, bleating
softly to which the infant answers. |
|
What does it eat?
Like most gazelles in the wild, Cuvier's gazelles are always on
the move eating leaves, grass and other succulent vegetation. As
with most ruminants, they consume large quantities of vegetation,
then lie in a safe, cool place to chew their cud, a process which
further digests their highly cellulose diet.
Is it threatened
or endangered?
Humans have greatly reduced the numbers of many gazelle species.
Those inhabiting North Africa have suffered most because they can
easily be hunted from vehicles. Domestic sheep and goats in the
same regions also compete with Cuvier's gazelles for sources of
vegetation for survival. |
