Head to head
Mountain Gazelle vs Thomson's Gazelle
The mountain gazelle and Thomson's gazelle are both small, agile gazelle species, but their range, signature behaviours, and conservation trajectories differ sharply.
| Mountain Gazelle | Thomson's Gazelle | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Gazella gazella | Eudorcas thomsonii |
| Native range | Middle East | East Africa |
| Preferred terrain | Rocky hillsides, semi-arid terrain | Open savanna and grassland |
| Notable behaviour | None comparable | Stiff-legged pronking-style display |
| Ecological role | None comparable | Key part of the Serengeti migration |
| Conservation status | Endangered | Near Threatened |
| Population trend | Decreasing | Decreasing |
| Habitat | Desert, mountains | Savanna, grassland |
Mountain Gazelle vs Thomson's Gazelle: common questions
Do the mountain gazelle and Thomson's gazelle live in the same region?
No, the mountain gazelle is native to the Middle East, while Thomson's gazelle is native to East Africa, so their ranges do not overlap despite both being small, agile gazelle species.
Which species is part of the Serengeti migration, the mountain gazelle or Thomson's gazelle?
Thomson's gazelle is the species that forms an important part of the annual Serengeti migration, a role the mountain gazelle does not share given its entirely separate Middle Eastern range.
Which species has declined more steeply, the mountain gazelle or Thomson's gazelle?
The mountain gazelle has declined more steeply, having lost an estimated four-fifths of its population in recent decades and now classified as Endangered, while Thomson's gazelle is classified as Near Threatened.