Grant's gazelle (Nanger granti ) is a species of gazelle distributed from northern Tanzania to South Sudan and Ethiopia, and from the Kenyan coast to Lake Victoria. Its Swahili name is swala granti. It was named for a 19th-century British explorer, James Grant.
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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HerbivoreA herbivore is an animal anatomically and physiologically adapted to eating plant material, for example, foliage, for the main component of its die...
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FolivoreIn zoology, a folivore is a herbivore that specializes in eating leaves. Mature leaves contain a high proportion of hard-to-digest cellulose, less ...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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CursorialA cursorial organism is one that is adapted specifically to run. An animal can be considered cursorial if it has the ability to run fast (e.g. chee...
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AltricialAltricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
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GrazingGrazing is a method of feeding in which a herbivore feeds on plants such as grasses, or other multicellular organisms such as algae. In agriculture...
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BrowsingBrowsing is a type of herbivory in which an herbivore (or, more narrowly defined, a folivore) feeds on leaves, soft shoots, or fruits of high-growi...
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ZoochoryZoochory animals are those that can disperse plant seeds in several ways. Seeds can be transported on the outside of vertebrate animals (mostly mam...
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NomadicNomadic animals regularly move to and from the same areas within a well-defined range. Most animals travel in groups in search of better territorie...
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TerritorialA territory is a sociographical area that which an animal consistently defends against the conspecific competition (or, occasionally, against anima...
Among animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
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PolygynyPolygyny is a mating system in which one male lives and mates with multiple females but each female only mates with a single male.
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HerdingA herd is a social grouping of certain animals of the same species, either wild or domestic. The form of collective animal behavior associated with...
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Dominance hierarchyA dominance hierarchy (formerly and colloquially called a pecking order) is a type of social hierarchy that arises when members of animal social gr...
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MigratingAnimal migration is the relatively long-distance movement of individual animals, usually on a seasonal basis. It is the most common form of migrati...
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starts withThe Grant’s gazelle is an easily recognize antelope of the Nanger genus, which also includes two other gazelle species. Probably, the most remarkable feature of this animal is the "pants", due to which Grant’s gazelle differs from all other antelopes. Antelopes in general exhibit white coloration on their tails and the sides, which looks like "pants". However, the pants of Grant’s gazelle are more conspicuous and noticeable. The Grant’s gazelles can tolerate very high body temperatures, which would be fatal for many other mammals.
The natural range of this species covers south-eastern parts of Sudan, southern Ethiopia, south-western regions of Somalia, northern Tanzania as well as north-eastern Uganda and Kenya. Within this territory, Grant's gazelles primarily occur in semi-deserts, open savannas and treeless plains. They usually avoid areas, covered with tall grass. Additionally, these antelopes may sometimes be observed travelling among dense growth of acacia in areas with enough paths and open swaths.
Grant’s gazelles are social and diurnal creatures. During a certain season, these mammals migrate within their range. However, in areas with enough amount of suitable food throughout the year, Grant’s gazelles are usually sedentary. Migration occurs in herds, some of which maintain their own territories. Many of these herds consist of dominant males as well as bachelor males and females. Grant’s gazelles are territorial animals. When migrating, they exhibit a social hierarchy. Males express dominance and territorial behavior by side-by-side strutting, during which they raise their necks and tilt their horns. When noticing a predator, they usually warn community members though alert posture, alarm snorts and stamping.
Grant’s gazelles are herbivores (folivores), they are generally grazers, although they also browse. The diet of these mammals is primarily composed of leaves and stems, supplemented by various grasses.
Grant’s gazelles are polygynous, which means that one male gets an exclusive right to mating with multiple females. Breeding may occur at any time of the year, although it largely depends on climatic conditions. Females generally give birth to a single calf in January-February after 27 weeks of gestation. They produce offspring in a secluded place, far from the herd. Females and their young often form temporary social units, where calves are reared. During the first few days of their lives, newborn babies are immobile, so the mothers are constantly with them, nursing the calves 4 times per day. As soon as the baby is able to walk, it leaves with its mother to join her herd. During this period, young gazelles form peer groups, where they socialize. Weaning occurs at 6 months old, although calves still associate with their mothers until they reach adolescence. Males of this species are ready to mate at 3 years old, while females are reproductively mature at 1.5 years old.
Although classified as Least Concern and having a considerably large overall population, Grant’s gazelles do face some serious threats. These antelopes heavily suffer from poaching. On the other hand, they face loss, fragmentation and destruction of their natural habitat due to development of human settlements, ranching and fencing of land. Grant’s gazelles are presently exposed to hunting. They are 'easy prey' and attract hunters primarily for their hides and meat, which are in great demand. Additionally, this species is already extinct in certain parts of its original range.
According to the IUCN Red List, the total population of Grant’s gazelles is around 140,000 individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC), but its numbers are decreasing.
Firstly, Grant’s gazelles in eastern Africa have a direct impact on local populations of pouched mice, with which they compete for food. Hence, where the population of Grant’s gazelles is small, pouched mice are in abundance. Secondly, these mammals affect the ecosystem of their habitat due to their herbivorous diet. They may also affect predator populations (cheetahs, wild dogs, jackals), as items of prey.
Social animals are those animals that interact highly with other animals, usually of their own species (conspecifics), to the point of having a rec...