Soemmerring's Gazelle
Nanger soemmerringii
Did you know?
- Soemmerring's Gazelles are part of the Bovidae family, which they share with antelopes and bison.
- They are also known as Abyssinian mohrs.
- They live in grasslands and open scrublands in northeastern Africa.
- They often pronk, or spring up and lift all four feet off the ground, when alarmed.
- A female will usually have one calf at a time.
Adaptations
Soemmerring’s gazelles have long slim legs and a slender frame, making them swift and agile. They have a distinct black stripe on each side of their face. Both males and females have horns, though females generally have thinner horns. The rub marks on males' horns result from their habit of scraping their horns on the ground, which they do to show dominance over other males.
Young and Family
Female Soemmerring’s gazelles will live in herds with other females, whereas males typically are solitary unless mating. A female will have one calf at a time.
Threat Level
- Unknown
- Common
- Near Threatened
- Threatened
- Endangered
- Critically Endangered
- Extinct in the Wild
Vulnerable
The Soemmerring's Gazelle's wild population is decreasing.
Range
Northeastern Africa
Habitat
Semi-arid grasslands and open scrublands
We care about Soemmerring's Gazelle
Soemmering’s gazelles once ranged in herds of hundreds across northeast Africa's scrub and dry grasslands. Today they are reduced to a much smaller range due to overhunting and habitat destruction. They now live in groups of only 15 to 20 animals.
The Saint Louis Zoo participates in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Program for Soemmering’s gazelles. We support a herd in Red Rocks at the Zoo. Learn more about how we are helping Soemmerring's gazelles in the wild through the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute Center for Conservation in the Horn of Africa.
Find this animal in Red Rocks
SAINT LOUIS ZOO ZONE
Red Rocks
At Red Rocks, you’ll view some of the world’s most powerful predators living near some of the world’s most graceful prey. Lions, tigers, zebra and giraffes all share the natural rocky boulders and outcroppings as their territory. With shading trees and a bird or two among the mammals, Red Rocks is a great place to spend a day at the Saint Louis Zoo.