Arabian Gazelle

The Arabian gazelle lives in grassland, shrubland, and desert habitat types. They predominantly feed on the leaves, flowers, and fruits of acacia trees (Genus Vachellia) and other trees and shrubs. Arabian gazelles are selective browsers, preferring woody plants over grasses. They predominantly feed on all fours, but may rear up on their hind legs to access higher food. They share their habitat with many other herbivores, including Dorcas gazelles (Gazella dorcas), mountain gazelles (Gazella gazella), Nubian ibex (Capra nubiana), Asiatic wild ass (Equus hemionus), and Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx). Their main predators are Arabian wolves (Canis lupus arabs). Arabian gazelles are crepuscular, most active in the early morning and evening when temperatures are cooler. In the heat of midday, they rest to chew their cud. They have been found with antibodies to the parasite toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii). They contract gastrointestinal diseases including clostridiosis and salmonellosis, as well as chronic renal fibrosis.