Grant's gazelles resemble Thomson's gazelles, but are noticeably larger and easily distinguished by the broad white patch on the rump that extends upward onto the back. The white patch on the Thomson's gazelle stops at the tail. Some varieties of Grant's have a black stripe on each side of the body like the Thomson's; in others the stripe is very light or absent. A black stripe runs down the thigh. Grant’s gazelle’s lyre-shaped horns are stout at the base, clearly ringed and measuring 18 to 32 inches long. On the females black skin surrounds the teats, with white hair on the udder. This probably helps the young recognize the source of milk.
On the females black skin surrounds the teats, with white hair on the udder. This probably helps the young recognize the source of milk. When a fawn is older and moving about with its mother, the dark stripe on the white background may serve as a beacon for it to follow.
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Grant's gazelles are especially fond of open grass plains, and although they frequent bushy savannas, they avoid areas of high grass.
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Grant’s gazelles live in standard territorial, male-led herds. In more closed habitats, the herds tend to be smaller and more sexually segregated.
Male gazelles have developed several ritualized postures to determine dominance. Younger males will fight, but as they grow older the ritualized displays often take the place of fights. If neither combatant is intimidated, they may confront one another and clash horns, trying to throw the other off-balance.
Breeding is seasonal, but not firmly fixed. Gestation is approximately 7 months, and the young are born in areas that provide some cover. The newborn fawn is carefully cleaned by the mother who eats the afterbirth. Once the fawn can stand up and has been suckled, it seeks a suitable hiding place. The mother watches carefully and evidently memorizes the position before moving away to graze. She returns to the fawn three to four times during the day to suckle it and clean the area. The lying-out period is quite long-two weeks or more.
The fawn eats its first solid food at about 1 month, but is nursed for 6 months. Grant's become sexually mature at about 18 months. By that time the young males will have joined an all-male bachelor herd, but it will be some time before they become territory holders, if at all. Males from the bachelor herds challenge the territorial males, but only the strongest win territories, which they mark with combined deposits of dung and urine.
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The gazelles vary their diet according to season. They eat herbs, foliage from shrubs, short grasses and shoots. Grant's gazelles obtain the moisture they need from their food and have unusually large salivary glands, possibly an adaptation for secreting fluid to cope with a relatively dry diet. They typically remain in the open during the heat of the day, suggesting they possess an efficient system to retain the necessary fluid in their bodies.
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Human settlement, ranching and fencing of land resulting in wildlife habitat loss certainly affects Grant’s gazelle populations. This gazelle, which is conspicuous and easy to kill, is also hunted for its highly valued meat and hide.
Did You Know?
- The only relatively long-lasting relationship in gazelle society is that of a mother and her most recent offspring.
- Grant's are gregarious and form the usual social groupings of small herds of females with their offspring, territorial males and all-male bachelor groups. Membership in these groups is temporary.
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