Mammals
Soemmerring's Gazelle
Nanger soemmerringii · also called Soemmerring's gazelles
Marked by a bold black-and-white facial pattern, Soemmerring’s gazelle ranks among the largest of all gazelle species, grazing the semi-arid savanna and scrubland of the Horn of Africa in herds that shift in size with the seasons.
Overview
Soemmerring’s gazelle, Nanger soemmerringii, is a large gazelle native to semi-arid savanna and scrubland habitat across the Horn of Africa. Its striking facial markings, above-average size for a gazelle, and long, heavily ridged horns on both sexes make it one of the more visually distinctive gazelle species found anywhere in East Africa.
A gazelle built on a larger scale
While many gazelle species are defined by their compact, delicate build, Soemmerring’s gazelle stands out for going in the opposite direction, combining a larger frame with some of the most heavily ridged horns found on any gazelle species.
Status
Vulnerable, with populations declining across the Horn of Africa due to habitat degradation, hunting, and regional instability.
Soemmerring's Gazelle: common questions
How big is Soemmerring's gazelle compared to other gazelle species?
This species ranks among the largest gazelle species, noticeably bigger than more familiar species such as Thomson's gazelle that share parts of the same broader East African region.
What does Soemmerring's gazelle's face look like?
This species has a bold black-and-white facial pattern, with dark stripes running from the eyes and horns down toward the nose, a distinctive marking among gazelle species.
Do female Soemmerring's gazelle have horns?
Yes, this species has long, ridged, lyre-shaped horns present on both males and females, though the horns of males are considerably thicker and more heavily ringed.
Why is Soemmerring's gazelle considered Vulnerable?
This species has declined across the Horn of Africa due to habitat degradation, hunting, and prolonged regional instability, leaving it classified as Vulnerable despite once being widespread across the region.