Mammals
Speke's Gazelle
Gazella spekei · also called Speke's gazelles
Amplifying its alarm snort into a loud, resonant honk through a strange inflatable nasal flap, Speke’s gazelle holds the title of the smallest gazelle species in the world, confined to a narrow strip of coastal scrubland in Somalia.
Overview
Speke’s gazelle, Gazella spekei, is the smallest gazelle species, native to arid coastal scrubland habitat within Somalia in the Horn of Africa. Its unique inflatable nasal flap, tiny overall size, and extremely narrow geographic range make it one of the most physically and geographically distinctive gazelle species found anywhere in the world.
A warning built into the face
Few gazelle species have evolved an alarm system as physically unusual as Speke’s gazelle, whose inflatable nasal flap turns a simple snort into a far-carrying warning call, a feature unlike anything found on its close desert-dwelling relatives.
Status
Endangered, with a narrow coastal range within Somalia and populations declining due to habitat degradation and regional instability.
Speke's Gazelle: common questions
Is Speke's gazelle really the smallest gazelle species?
Yes, this species is the smallest gazelle species known, noticeably more compact than even other small desert-adapted gazelle found across Africa and the Middle East.
What is the purpose of Speke's gazelle's nasal flap?
This species has a distinctive nasal flap that inflates when alarmed, amplifying its snorting alarm call into a loud, resonant honk audible over a considerable distance, warning other gazelle of nearby danger.
Why is Speke's gazelle so restricted in range?
This species is restricted to a narrow band of coastal scrubland habitat within Somalia, one of the more geographically limited gazelle species, leaving it especially vulnerable to habitat loss.
Do female Speke's gazelle have horns?
Yes, this species has ridged, lyre-shaped horns present on both males and females, though the horns of males are typically thicker.