Soemmerring's gazelle

The scientific name of Soemmerring's gazelle is Nanger soemmerringii. Formerly considered a member of the genus Gazella within the subgenus Nanger before Nanger was elevated to genus status, Soemmerring's gazelle is a member of the family Bovidae. The species was described and given its binomial name by German physician Philipp Jakob Cretzschmar in the In Rüppell, Atlas zu der reise im nördlichen Afrika ("Atlas of Rüppell's Travels in Northern Africa"; 1826–28) in 1828. Soemmerring's gazelle is named after German physician Samuel Thomas von Sömmerring. Subspecies Traditionally, three subspecies are recognized: • Nubian Soemmerring's gazelle (N. s. soemmeringii) (Cretzschmar, 1828) • Somali Soemmerring's gazelle (N. s. berberana) (Matschie, 1893) • Borani Soemmerring's gazelle (N. s. butteri) (Thomas, 1904) The dwarf population on Dahlak Kebir island might also qualify as a subspecies. ==Physical description==

Soemmerring's gazelle is a tall gazelle with tan flanks, gradually turning to white on the belly, and long black horns. They are about 75–90 cm (2.5–3.0 ft) at the shoulder, and they weigh 35–45 kg (77-99 lb). Soemmerring's and Grant's gazelles' outward appearance are so similar, they are often mistaken for each other where their ranges overlap. ==Distribution and habitat==

Soemmerring's gazelles is native to the Horn of Africa. It lives in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia and South Sudan. However, it is extinct in Sudan. They inhabit open steppes with brush and acacia, as well as steppes with few trees. At some point in history, a Soemmerring's gazelle population became isolated on Dahlak Kebir island in the Dahlak Archipelago, where the gazelle actually developed a dwarf form of the larger mainland races. ==Ecology and behavior==

Diet The diet of the gazelle consists of acacia and bush leaves, grasses, and herbs. Reproduction Scientists suggest the males are temporarily territorial. The lifespan for this animal is up to 14 years. ==Threats==

Soemmerring's gazelle is listed as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List. ==References==