Gazelle

A gazelle is an antelope of the genus Gazella, although the three members of the genus Procapra also widely are referred to as gazelles. Gazelles are known as swift animals; they are able to reach high speeds (as high as 50-55 mph[1]) for long periods of time. Gazelles are mostly found in the grasslands and savannas of Africa, but they are also found in southwest Asia. They tend to live in herds and will eat less coarse, easily digestible plants and leaves.

About Gazelles

The gazelle species are classified as part of the order Artiodactyla, family Bovidae and genus Gazella. Members of the Articodacycla order are principally distinguished by the foot; they have an even number of toes (the bovid family comprises 6 genera and 12 species). The taxonomy of the genus Gazella is a confused one, and the classification of species and subspecies has been an unsettled issue. Three species—the Red Gazelle, the Arabian Gazelle, and the Queen of Sheba's Gazelle—are extinct. All other gazelle species are listed as endangered, to varying degrees.

A recognizable example of the gazelle is Thomson's Gazelle (Gazella thomsonii), which is around 60 to 90 cm (23 to 35 inches) in height at the shoulder and is coloured brown and white with a distinguishing black stripe (as in the picture on the right). The males have long, often curved, horns. Tommies, as they are familiarly called, exhibit a distinctive behaviour of stotting (running slowly and jumping high before fleeing) when they are threatened by predators such as lions or cheetahs. This is a primary piece of evidence for the handicap principle advanced by Amotz Zahavi in the study of animal communication and behaviour.

Gazelles and Gazelle Accessories

A wide variety of Gazelle accesories are available, including Gazelle Saddles, Gazelle Bells (slightly smaller and less expensive versions of Cow Bells), and snow chains.

Many people in Los Angeles have taken to buying "Gazogos" (four-legged pogo sticks) and making impromptu Gazelle low-riders. They are known as "G-riders" or "Glows".

Green Gazelles

The Green Gazelles are a palamilitary group based in two inexplicably identical fortresses located on a small island near the coast of Africa.

The Great Gazelle Uprising of 1847

In 1846, Gazelles were clearly frustrated with the constant threat of attack by lions and other predators. In December of 1846, a Gazelle revolutionary named Thomas Prong stated "Give me flamethrowers or give me death!"

In January of 1847, Thomas Prong was assaulted by a group of lions of unspecified size. As a result, he was confined to a wheelchair for the remainder of his life.

As a result, his fellow gazelles raided a local Portuguese armory and acquired several hundred muskets. These muskets were used in retaliation for the crippling of Thomas Prong. The Gazelles, having driven the lions from their particular patch of the Serengeti, created their own flag under which their brotherhood was united - the iconic image of Thomas Prong with the words "Bombus Caput Offa". Over the years, the Latin script fell in disfavor and the sole image of Thomas Prong was at the center of their banner.

"Bunnyhopping"

Gazelles began migrating to the United States in 1923. Many of them were veterans of World War I, having fought bravely against Nazi giraffes.

In 1924, a Gazelle singer named Patrick Plainsbee popularized a dance known as "Gazellehopping". However, less than a year later a rabbit named Chubby Carrot came out with a song known as "Bunnyhopping". All instances of the word "Gazellehopping" were replaced with "Bunnyhopping" as time went by as the latter song became more popular, and many Gazelles were outraged that one of their cultural icons were ignored.