Mongolian gazelle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mongolian gazelle |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Procapra
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| Species: |
gutturosa
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The Mongolian gazelle (Procapra gutturosa), also known as the dzeren, is a medium-sized antelope. These animals live in the dry grasslands, called steppes, of Central Asia. You can find them in Mongolia, southern Siberia, and northern China. The name dzeren comes from the Russian way of saying the Mongolian word zeer or the Buryat word zeeren.
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What is a Mongolian Gazelle?
Even though they are called "gazelles," Mongolian gazelles are not "true" gazelles. True gazelles belong to a different group called Gazella. Mongolian gazelles, along with their close relatives like the Tibetan gazelle and Przewalski's gazelle, are part of their own special group called Procapra. All these animals are part of the larger Bovidae family, which includes cows, goats, and sheep.
How are Mongolian Gazelles Different?
Mongolian gazelles look a bit different from true gazelles. They have a fluffier coat, almost like a "teddy bear," while true gazelles often have sleek, smooth fur. Their faces might remind you more of a Chinese water deer than a typical gazelle.
What Do They Look Like?
In summer, the Mongolian gazelle has light brown fur with a hint of pink. When winter comes, their coat gets thicker, longer, and turns paler to help them stay warm. They also have a unique white patch on their rear end that looks like a heart, split down the middle by a darker line. Male gazelles have special horns shaped like a lyre, which curve backward from their forehead. These gazelles are excellent long-distance runners and can also swim well.
Where and When Do They Live?
Mongolian gazelles are mostly active during the day in winter. In summer, they are active shortly after sunrise and before sunset. They travel a lot, moving from place to place in spring and autumn. How far they travel and in what direction depends on the weather and how much food is available.
How Do They Live in Groups?
In summer, Mongolian gazelles usually live in groups of 20 to 30 animals. In winter, these groups can grow much larger, sometimes up to 100 individuals. It's not uncommon to see huge herds of up to 5,000 gazelles! In 2007, an amazing "mega-herd" of a quarter of a million Mongolian gazelles was spotted in Mongolia's grasslands. This was one of the largest gatherings of animals seen in the world.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
The mating season for Mongolian gazelles happens in late autumn or winter. During this time, the throats of male gazelles swell up. Males compete for females, but serious fights are rare.
Birth and Young Gazelles
After about 5 to 6 months, the female gazelles give birth, usually in June or July. When it's time to have their babies, groups of female gazelles will separate from the main herd. They usually have one baby, but sometimes twins are born. A newborn gazelle weighs about 3 kilograms (about 6.6 pounds). Just a few days after birth, the young gazelles are strong enough to keep up with their mothers. They will be ready to have their own babies when they are about 17 to 18 months old.
Mongolian Gazelles and People
The Mongolian gazelle is still one of the most common large animals on Earth, with about 1.5 million individuals. However, around 100,000 are hunted each year. Despite this, their conservation status is listed as "least concern," meaning they are not currently endangered.
It's not clear if their total population is growing or shrinking. Their numbers can change a lot due to diseases or very harsh winters. People have hunted these gazelles for thousands of years. An old story from the 13th century, called the Secret History of the Mongols, tells how a young leader named Shigi Qutuqu managed to gather a herd of gazelles during a winter blizzard.
