Thomson’s gazelle, or ‘tommy’, is a small, fast gazelle of the East African plains. It is one of the most familiar animals on safari and an important prey species for cheetahs, leopards, lions and hyenas.
Interesting facts
- A bold black stripe runs along each side of its body.
- Its tail flicks almost constantly.
- When chased, it may ‘stott’, bouncing with stiff legs to show predators it is fit.
- It is named after Scottish explorer Joseph Thomson.
- Thomson’s gazelles follow the wildebeest migration, eating the short grass left behind.
- Numbers have declined significantly, leading to its Near Threatened status.
Behaviour
Tommies live in herds that can number hundreds, and they mix with other grazers such as zebras and wildebeest. Territorial males mark their areas with dung and scent from glands near their eyes.
Breeding and young
After about five and a half months, a single fawn is born, often twice a year. Fawns lie hidden in the grass for their first weeks while their mothers graze nearby.
Threats and conservation
Habitat loss to farming and settlements, fences and hunting outside protected areas.
Where to see it
- Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
- Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
- Maasai Mara, Kenya
- Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Status source: IUCN Red List. Profile last reviewed September 2026.
Where to See Cheetahs in the Wild
