Tommies: Tiny but Tough

Tommies: Tiny but Tough. . , These small gazelles may seem delicate, but antelopes like Thompson's Gazelle (also called Tommies) have to fight for mates, space, and to stay alive., Fighting for Mates , All male antelopes have horns they use to fight each other over the chance to mate. In some species, such as Tommies, females also have horns., Marking Territory , Antelopes send messages with scent glands and urine. Complex chemical secretions are used to mark territory, see who is ready to mate, and more. Tommies will leave scents on branches and grasses to tell others to lay off their turf., Safety in Numbers , Tommies, like many other antelopes, live in groups to keep them safe in open habitat. In a herd, there are more eyes, ears, and noses available to detect a threat., Their stripe can help them blend in with each other, making it harder for predators like lions to get a meal., Evading Capture , Tommies will stomp, snort, and flick their tails to let the herd know danger is near. When chased, some antelope species scatter, running in all directions to confuse predators., Protecting Habitat , We are working throughout Africa to conserve wild lands, assist local people, and provide environmental education. In Tanzania, WCS helped create Tarangire National Park, which protects many antelopes, zebras, and elephants., Who do you see here today? , Thomson's Gazelle , Gazella thomsonii ,

Range: eastern Africa , Habitat: savannah , Diet: grasses, twigs, seeds, leaes , Gestation: 6 months , Offspring: 1 , Weight: 30-65 lbs. , Lifespan: 10.5 years, These small gazelles, also called Tommies, are a common sight on safari in East Africa.

, Lesser Kudu , Tragelaphus imberis ,

Range: eastern Africa , Habitat: woodlands , Diet: grasses, twigs, leaves, herbs, fruits , Gestation: 8 months , Offspring: 1 , Weight: 125-240 lbs. , Lifespan: 8-10 years, Lesser kudu like to hide near dense thickets where their coat provides camouflage.