Mammals Most active at dawn and dusk

Mountain Gazelle

Gazella gazella

iNaturalist Wikipedia

An icon of the Levantine landscape, the Mountain Gazelle is a master of speed and agility, thriving across rugged hills and desert valleys.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

Body length of 100–115 cm (39–45 in); weight ranges from 15–30 kg (33–66 lb)

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Colors

Fawn to dark brown upper body with a crisp white underbelly, separated by a dark lateral stripe; white facial stripes running from the eyes toward the snout.

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Key Features

Distinctive S-shaped horns present in both sexes (larger in males)
Dark brown or black stripe along the flank
White facial markings and underbelly
Slender build with long, elegant legs

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Most active at dawn and dusk

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Peak hours 5:00 AM - 8:00 AM, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet Herbivorous grazer and browser; feeds on grasses, herbs, and the leaves or pods of Acacia trees depending on seasonal availability.

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Habitat Rugged mountains, hilly terrain, and coastal plains; often found in Acacia-dominated valleys and increasingly on the edges of suburban developments.

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Where Does the Mountain Gazelle Live?

The Mountain Gazelle is a signature species of the Middle East, primarily concentrated in Israel, which holds the most significant remaining populations. Its range extends into parts of the Palestinian territories, Jordan, and the Arabian Peninsula, including fragmented populations in Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. These adaptable mammals are found across a diverse landscape, from the humid Mediterranean hills to the arid fringes of the desert, and even within the coastal plains where urban expansion meets the wild.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

6 Countries

120K km² Range

Endangered Conservation

Israel Jordan Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates Oman Turkey

Elevation range

0 m1,000 m2,000 m4,000 m

Sea level – 2,100 m

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

Mountain Gazelles are highly social yet territorial animals. During the mating season, adult males establish and fiercely defend territories, while females and young roam in small herds of three to eight individuals. They are famously skittish, relying on their incredible speed—reaching up to 80 km/h (50 mph)—and a distinctive bounding leap known as 'stotting' to evade predators like leopards and wolves.

These gazelles are primarily crepuscular, meaning they are most active during the cooler hours of dawn and dusk. In areas where they live close to human settlements, they have become somewhat accustomed to people, often grazing in suburban gardens or agricultural fields on the outskirts of towns, though they remain wary and will flee at any sudden movement.

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Camera Tips

To capture high-quality footage of the Mountain Gazelle, placement is everything. These animals follow established trails between their bedding areas in the hills and their feeding grounds in the valleys. Look for 'middens'—communal dung heaps—which males use to mark their territory. Placing your camera 3-5 meters away from a midden at a height of about 60 cm (knee height) will almost guarantee a clear profile shot as the male pauses to investigate the site.

Because Mountain Gazelles are most active during the 'golden hours' of dawn and dusk, ensure your AI camera has strong low-light performance or a high-quality infrared flash. Avoid placing cameras facing directly east or west to prevent the rising or setting sun from blowing out the image. If you are in a particularly arid region, a camera placed near a water source or a lone Acacia tree with low-hanging seed pods will act as a natural magnet for these gazelles.

Settings-wise, use a fast trigger speed (0.3 seconds or less) to catch them as they move quickly through the frame. Since they often travel in small groups, a 'burst mode' of 3-5 photos or a 15-second video clip is better than a single shot, as it allows you to see the social interactions between the mother and her fawn or a territorial male chasing off a rival. If using a backyard camera, place it near the perimeter of your property where the wild vegetation meets the lawn, as they prefer to graze at the 'edge' where they have a quick escape route.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Mountain Gazelle.

Dorcas Gazelle

Smaller and paler with more strongly curved, lyre-shaped horns; typically found in deeper desert regions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Mountain Gazelles are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk. This behavior helps them avoid the midday heat and stay hidden from predators during the darkest parts of the night.

In areas where they are native, providing a source of water and planting native shrubs or maintaining an area of natural grasses can attract them. However, they are endangered and wild, so it is best to observe them naturally rather than using artificial food.

They are generalist herbivores. They graze on various grasses and herbs and browse on the leaves, buds, and seed pods of shrubs and trees, particularly the Acacia tree in more arid environments.

In certain regions like the outskirts of Jerusalem or Haifa, Mountain Gazelles have adapted to suburban edges. They often visit gardens to feed on ornamental plants, though this brings them into risky contact with cars and domestic dogs.

Mountain Gazelles are generally larger and darker than Dorcas Gazelles. The most distinct difference is in the horns; Mountain Gazelle horns are straighter and thicker at the base, while Dorcas Gazelle horns curve more dramatically outward and then inward at the tips.

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