The Hoof and the Horn

Gazelles, like the buffalo and all antelopes, are Bovidae. This large family includes more than 70 species that, for the most part, live in Africa. All antelopes have several things in common: their fur, with a lighter or darker tan color, the males have horns, they have either 30 or 32 teeth, and their eyes have horizontal pupils that give them good peripheral vision. For the rest, there is great diversity within these vegetarian ruminants, starting with their environments and their needs. Morphologically speaking, there are differences too. At the extremes are dwarf antelopes no bigger than a hare and the elan that weighs more than a ton.