Location: Asia and Middle East
Habitat: Grasslands and Desert
Diet: Herbivores
Characteristic: Big, expressive eyes and dissipate heat through their large ears
Conservation: Vulnerable
The goitered gazelle is a remarkable and graceful species found in the vast deserts and arid regions of Asia and the Middle East. It is a medium-sized antelope, with males typically larger than females. Males can reach heights of 31 to 37 inches at the shoulder, while females are slightly smaller. Adult goitered gazelles weigh between 44 to 88 pounds. Their coat is a beautiful sandy or pale-yellow color, blending perfectly with the desert landscape. They have white underbellies and distinctive facial markings, including a white patch above the nose and dark stripes on their cheeks.
Its unique characteristics and adaptations have enabled it to thrive in harsh desert environments. The goitered gazelle has big, expressive eyes that help it spot predators and find food in the vast desert expanses, especially during low light conditions. Their hooves are uniquely adapted to desert life. They are broad and splayed, providing better support and preventing them from sinking into the soft sand. Goitered gazelles have a specialized digestive system that allows them to extract more water from their food, enabling them to survive in water-scarce environments. And to cope with extreme temperatures, they have a keen ability to dissipate heat through their large ears and maintain a lower body temperature during the hottest parts of the day.
These gazelles prefer semi-desert and desert habitats, where they can find sparse vegetation to feed on. They are found in various countries across Asia and the Middle East, including Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, and parts of India and Afghanistan.
Goitered gazelles are social creatures and live in small to moderately-sized herds, usually consisting of females and their young. During the mating season, male gazelles may engage in displays of strength and agility to attract females. Gazelles are incredibly agile and can reach speeds of up to 37 mph to escape predators.
Despite their adaptability, goitered gazelles face various threats, including habitat loss due to human development and overhunting. Several organizations are working to protect their natural habitats and raise awareness about their conservation needs.