Dorcas Gazelle

The dorcas gazelle (Gazella dorcas), also known as the ariel gazelle, is a small and common gazelle. The dorcas gazelle stands about 55–65 cm (1.8–2.1 feet) at the shoulder, with a head and body length of 90–110 cm (3–3.5 feet) and a weight of 15–20 kg (33–44 pounds). The numerous subspecies survive on vegetation in grassland, steppe, wadis, mountain desert and in semidesert climates of Africa and Arabia. About 35,000–40,000 exist in the wild. == Taxonomy and evolution == The scientific name of the dorcas gazelle is Gazella dorcas, the name coming from Ancient Greek δορκάς (dorkas), which referred to a roe deer, gazelle or antelope. It is a member of the genus Gazella and the family Bovidae. The species was first described by Swedish zoologist Carl Linnaeus in the 10th edition of Systema Naturae in 1758. Although zoologist Theodor Haltenorth considered G. d. pelzelnii to be an independent species, the following six subspecies are identified: G. d. beccarii De Beaux, 1931 – Eritrean dorcas gazelle G. d. dorcas (Linnaeus, 1758) – Egyptian dorcas gazelle G. d. isabella Gray, 1846 – Isabelle dorcas gazelle G. d. massaesyla Cabrera, 1928 – Moroccan dorcas gazelle G. d. osiris Blaine, 1913 – Saharan…