Skip to main content
Global Animal Guide

How Long Do Thomson's Gazelles Live?

Thomson's gazelle with black side stripe on savanna

Quick answer

Thomson's Gazelles (Eudorcas thomsonii) typically live around 10–12 years in the wild. Wild averages fall when predation, disease, or habitat loss rise; managed populations can live longer with stable food and veterinary care.

By , Founder Last reviewed Cite this page How we research & review

Key takeaway

Thomson's Gazelles (Eudorcas thomsonii) typically live around 10–12 years in the wild. Wild averages fall when predation, disease, or habitat loss rise; managed populations can live longer with stable food and veterinary care.

Thomson's Gazelle lifespan in the wild

Field and museum records place most thomson's gazelles near 10–12 years in the wild. That figure blends ages at death across regions, so treat it as a planning range. Body size (15–30 kg (33–66 lb); males carry longer horns) and risk lifestyle both shape the average.

What shortens thomson's gazelle lives

Predation, infectious disease, injury, food shortages, and habitat fragmentation cut survival. Roadkill and human conflict matter wherever thomson's gazelles share landscapes with people.

What helps thomson's gazelles live longer

Connected habitat, low chronic stress, and reliable food support longevity. For captive or domestic relatives, species-correct diet and veterinary screening matter more than generic “pet” advice.

Thomson's Gazelle life stages

Juveniles usually face higher mortality than prime adults. Older animals may move less, show dental wear, or lose body condition — useful signs when ageing thomson's gazelles in the field.

Diet and ecological role

Thomson's Gazelles feed on herbivore — short grasses and tender shoots. Foraging shifts with season and local abundance. As mammals, they influence food webs — controlling prey, dispersing seeds, or shaping habitat through feeding and movement.

Conservation and coexistence

Listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. Habitat loss, hunting, and climate change threaten many populations. Responsible ecotourism and community conservation help in parts of their range. Never approach or feed wild thomson's gazelles.

Sources

Thomson's Gazelle FAQs

How long do thomson's gazelles live?

Thomson's Gazelles (Eudorcas thomsonii) typically live around 10–12 years in the wild. Wild averages fall when predation, disease, or habitat loss rise; managed populations can live longer with stable food and veterinary care.

What is the scientific name of the thomson's gazelle?

Eudorcas thomsonii — used in research and conservation listings for thomson's gazelles.

What do thomson's gazelles eat?

Thomson's Gazelles eat short grasses and tender shoots, with seasonal and regional variation in East African grasslands and savannas.

Where do thomson's gazelles live?

They are associated with East African grasslands and savannas. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.

What is the conservation status of thomson's gazelles?

Listed in our guides as Near Threatened. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.

Keep exploring the Thomson's Gazelle