Fauna
Mammal

Slender-horned Gazelle

Gazella leptoceros

Also known as Rhim Gazelle, African Sand Gazelle, Loder's Gazelle, Rhim

Slender-horned gazelles wander the vast sand seas of the Sahara, where open water is virtually nonexistent. Their pale cream-colored coats reflect intense solar heat, while broadened hooves act like snowshoes to prevent sinking into shifting sand dunes. They feed during cooler night hours and early mornings to absorb moisture from vegetation heavily coated in dew.

DesertNomadic
Slender-horned Gazelle reference
(c) Ltshears, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyDesert grasses, Succulents, Acacia foliage
Predators
  • Saharan cheetah
  • Golden jackal
  • Caracal
ThreatsUnregulated poaching, hunting from motorized vehicles, and habitat degradation
HabitatsSand dunes, gravel plains, and desert basins
Life span10–14 years
Classification
  1. FamilyBovidae
  2. SpeciesGazella leptoceros
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
What to notice
Recognizable by its extremely pale sandy coat, white underparts, and long, straight, slender horns.
Support conservation
Observe strictly from a distance with binoculars and avoid driving vehicles near remote dune refuges.
Responsible observation
  • Observation distance: Maintain a wide separation to avoid scaring these timid ungulates away from shade.
  • Habitat care: Avoid driving off-road vehicles through sensitive desert dune systems.
  • Binocular viewing: Use high-powered optics to watch them without triggering a flight response.
Related species
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