Dorcas Gazelle

Although the Dorcas gazelle is not native to the Coachella Valley, you can see them locally at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert. This small antelope is an excellent example of how animals adapt to harsh desert environments.

Appearance:
Dorcas gazelles are light and slender, with sandy-colored coats that blend into desert landscapes. They have white underbellies, a dark stripe along their sides, and gently curved, lyre-shaped horns in both males and females (males’ horns are longer and thicker).

Adaptations:
These gazelles are highly efficient at conserving water. They can survive long periods without drinking, getting most of their moisture from leaves, flowers, and fruits. Their light coats reflect sunlight, and they are mainly active during dawn and dusk to avoid extreme heat.

Behavior:
They usually live in small groups or pairs. During breeding season, males may defend territories. Their diet includes grasses, shrubs, and other desert vegetation.

Conservation:
Listed as Vulnerable due to habitat loss, hunting, and competition with livestock. Breeding programs in protected areas and accredited zoos—including The Living Desert—help support their long-term survival.

Ecological Role:
In their native North African and Middle Eastern deserts, Dorcas gazelles act as grazers and seed dispersers, influencing plant growth and helping maintain healthy desert ecosystems.