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Here's another Grant's gazelle (Nanger granti), a largish antelope often seen in Kenya and Tanzania.
This shot shows off their distinctive horn set. These taper gently from base to point, curving back and outward before tipping in. Distinct rings (or ridges) may be seen along the length of this lyre-shape.
Both males and females of the species have horns. They are used for combat and display.
A Grant's gazelle (Nanger granti) watches as a Land Cruiser drops over a ridge in the Serengeti.
These gazelle thrive in dry environments, getting moisture from the plants that they eat. They also have a very efficient digestive system that allows them to eat tough plants avoided by other grazers/browsers.
See you later buddy. Keep an eyes out for the cheetahs.
Experience a Grant's gazelle (or a cheetah chase) for yourself on safari in February, 2026!
Behold, a female Grant's gazelle (Nanger granti). So delicate!
This gazelle is grazing among the tough brittle-brown grasses of the Serengeti. What is unique about Grant's gazelle is that it is very efficient in digesting dry matter. It rarely needs to drink! This means that unlike other species that require stops at water holes during the dry season, the Grants can avoid them. This means they can also avoid the predators waiting there.
Delicate in some ways, but really tough in others. That's a Grant's gazelle!
A herd of Grant's gazelle (Nanger granti) is a common sight on the Serengeti. The gazelle's lyre-shaped horns not only bequeath a graceful appearance, but give it formidable tools for defense. Unlike antlers (that are shed annually), gazelle horns are permanently affixed, corrugated, and unbranched.
This species is named after James Grant, a preacher's son who worked with John Speke in the quest to discover the source of the Nile. I'm enjoying Tim Jeal's account of this pioneering work right now in his Explorers of the Nile: The Triumph and Tragedy of a Great Victorian Adventure. Its a good read for folks with a strong stomach (!) who are interested in the story of East Africa.
