Head to head
Dorcas Gazelle vs Mountain Gazelle
The dorcas gazelle and mountain gazelle both live across arid parts of North Africa and the Middle East, but their preferred terrain and conservation trajectories differ sharply.
| Dorcas Gazelle | Mountain Gazelle | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Gazella dorcas | Gazella gazella |
| Preferred terrain | Flat, open desert | Rocky hillsides, semi-arid terrain |
| Water dependence | Almost none | Low, but less extreme than dorcas |
| Recent population trend | Declining | Lost an estimated four-fifths of its population |
| Coat colour | Pale, sandy | Sandy-brown with dark side stripe |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable | Endangered |
| Population trend | Decreasing | Decreasing |
| Habitat | Desert | Desert, mountains |
Dorcas Gazelle vs Mountain Gazelle: common questions
Which species is more endangered, the dorcas gazelle or the mountain gazelle?
The mountain gazelle is more endangered, having lost an estimated four-fifths of its population over recent decades and now classified as Endangered, while the dorcas gazelle is classified as Vulnerable.
How do the dorcas gazelle and mountain gazelle differ in preferred terrain?
The dorcas gazelle favours flat, open desert terrain, while the mountain gazelle favours rocky hillsides and semi-arid terrain, relying on agility to move across uneven, broken ground.
Which species is more water-independent, the dorcas gazelle or the mountain gazelle?
The dorcas gazelle is more water-independent, able to survive almost entirely without drinking free water by extracting moisture from desert plants, a more extreme adaptation than seen in the mountain gazelle.