Thomson's gazelle

Scientific name: Eudorcas thomsonii

How weight is recorded: Carcass weight

Field notes

Appearance

A small, slender gazelle with a tan-brown upper body and white underside; males are darker and stockier than females. Both sexes have distinctive black lateral body stripes and lyre-shaped horns; males weigh noticeably more and have longer, thicker horns.

Size and weight

Males 18–25 kg, females 12–17 kg; body length 50–65 cm. Shoulder height approximately 50–65 cm.

Habitat

Thomson's gazelles occupy open savanna grasslands and semi-arid plains, typically between 1,000–2,500 m elevation. They favour short-grass areas with scattered acacia trees and minimal dense cover.

Distribution

Endemic to East African savannas, mainly Tanzania and Kenya. Found in open, well-drained grasslands from sea level to montane plateaus.

Diet

Primarily short grasses; during dry seasons shifts to browse, leaves, and forbs. Water-dependent; rarely ventures far from permanent or semi-permanent water sources.

Behaviour

Diurnal and crepuscular grazer, most active early morning and late afternoon. Gregarious, forming herds of 10–100 or more individuals; males are territorial during breeding. Alert and highly mobile, with characteristic bounding escape gait.

Hunting tips

Look for trails converging at water sources and fresh dung clusters in short grass. Approach upwind across open ground, using terrain folds and scattered scrub for cover; stalking requires speed and patience as they flee quickly when alarmed. Early morning and dusk movements between water and grazing areas are optimal for encounter.

Carcass weight

This species is logged by carcass weight — the animal weighed dressed, the way hunting teams normally report it.

Where it is hunted

Listed as huntable in 1 country in Huntify.

Tanzania

Names in other languages

These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.