Cuvier's Gazelle
From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids
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| Gazella cuvieri ( |
Cuvier's Gazelle Gazella cuvieri is a species of gazelle from northern Africa. It was named for the scientist
From 3rd Grader Evan Mageo's Research
Appearance
The Cuvier’s Gazelle’s coloration is a very dark brown back, it’s head and legs match with a white belly and a ramp patch. The tail is a tiny black and the top of his (or her) nose has a distinct black spot. The gazelle’s face has black lines running from the large ears to the nose. It has upright, curled horns that are present in both sexes and may reach 35 cm in length.
Habitat
Cuvier’s Gazelle are found in a range of habitats, including open oak forests, open country, mostly grasslands, vineyards and are quite rare in stony desert plateaus. It appears only at high altitude in the Atlas Mountains.
Behavior
Cuvier’s Gazelles live in spaced out areas and generally are not seen in groups bigger than eight animals. Groups usually contain one male and females with young.
Food Supply
Like most gazelles in nature, Cuvier’s Gazelle are always on the run chewing grass and succulent plants. As with most ruminants, they consume large quantities of plants and grass then lie in a safe, cool place to eat their cud, a process which further absorbing their very high cellulose nutrition.
Fact Files
These gazelles are the only gazelle to give birth to twins. They are very rare. They are the only gazelles native to the north of the Sahara Desert.
Reproduction
The Cuvier’s Gazelle can only give birth to two offsprings.
Enemies and Endangerment
The enemies of the gazelle are domestic sheep, goats and humans. The sheep and goats compete with the gazelles for grazing spots sometimes pushing them out of their territory. Humans hunt them for their meat and rare skin.
Saving My Animal
Two things can be done to save my animal. One is to pass laws making it illegal to hunt them. The other is to make more places for them to graze.
[edit] References
- Antelope Specialist Group (1996). Gazella cuvieri. 2006
[edit] External links
Evan's Resources:
- http://www.stlzoo.org/
- http://www.animalinfo.org/
- http://www.hoglezoo.org
- http://www.livingdesert.org/