Thomson Gazelle - North America Introduced | Online Record Book Preview

Gazella thomsoni thomsoni

Gacela de Thomson (Sp), Thomsongazelle (G), Gazelle de Thomson (F). Named after explorer Joseph Thomson, its European discoverer.

DESCRIPTION Shoulder height 25-27 inches (63-69 cm). Weight 50-60 pounds (23-27 kg).

One of the handsomest of gazelles, graceful and distinctively patterned. The upperparts are a deep, sandy-rufous with a lighter flank band below, and below that a wide, black band that is in immediate contact with the white underparts. The white rump is bordered by narrow, black stripes. The tail is all black. There is a chestnut facial blaze from horns to muzzle, a white eye ring continuing as a stripe to the muzzle, and a dark cheek stripe below the eye. The horns (both sexes) are quite large for an animal this size, being nearly twice as long as the head. They are strongly ringed and often nearly straight. Females are similar to males, but notably smaller and have much smaller horns.

DISTRIBUTION Private ranches in Texas.

REMARKS Native to Kenya and northern Tanzania, where it is the most common gazelle.

Although our policy is to not recognize subspecies in introduced populations, as it can be impossible to keep them straight, we do in this case because the Thomson and Mongalla gazelles can be readily distinguished.