Grant's Gazelle (Nanger granti)

Grant's gazelles are often found in small herds of up to 30, with an adult ram controlling a territory, and a group of ewes and their offspring roaming over larger areas than the male (3). Younger and non-territorial rams may form bachelor groups that move around the edges of territorial ram ranges (3). However, these groupings are not fixed, and Grant's gazelles deal with changing food supplies by having an exceptionally fluid social system. When there is an adequate supply of food all year round, rams maintain territories continually (4). In other areas they tend to be nomadic, moving from high, well-drained areas during the rains, to flat, grassy valleys in the dry season, with larger temporary herds forming at certain times of the year (2) (3). The Grant's gazelle prefers to eat herbs and shrub foliage, but will also graze on grass during the early rains when it is young and green. It is often found feeding with other herbivores, benefiting from other animals feeding on the grass, as this encourages the growth of herbs on which the gazelles primarily feed (2) (4). Adult territorial rams mark their area with dung and urine deposits and perform elaborate displays when confronting each other (3) (4), particularly during the biannual mating peaks (2). The displays involve a characteristic flicking of the raised head; slow, stiff head-circling; and lowering the head with the horns pointing at the opponent (2) (3). Births follow a six month gestation and the fawn (2), weighing five to seven kilograms (3), remains hidden for the first few weeks of life (2).

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