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they're light
they're strong
both of these
Correct!
Gazelles have delicate but sturdy legs. Their legs are light because they only have muscles at the top. Their strong hind limbs and rump muscles help propel the gazelle forward when it runs.
Scientific Name: Eudorcas thomsoni
Habitat: dry grasslands of eastern Africa
Diet: mostly grasses
Size: up to 3 feet (1 meter) tall at the shoulder
Conservation Status: near threatened
Cool Fact: The Thomson's gazelle can run up to 50 miles (80 kilometers) per hour!
Gazelles are exceptional runners. How are their legs adapted to help them run quickly and efficiently?
A gazelle can jump straight up into the air from a standstill, lifting all four legs at the same time. This is called:
galloping
stotting
trotting
Correct!
Gazelles stott to show off how fit they are and discourage predators from chasing them. Gazelles also stott when they play.
To run faster, gazelles take:
longer strides
more frequent strides
shorter strides
Correct!
Many other fast mammals take more frequent strides to pick up speed. But gazelles take longer strides.
Gazelles run on their tiptoes.
Fact
OR
Fiction
?
Fact
Gazelles, like many of their relatives, evolved to run on tiptoes rather than flat feet. In fact, their hooves are modified toenails!
Gazelles can run very fast, but only for short distances.
Fact
OR
Fiction
?
Fiction
In fact, gazelles can run at high speeds for a long time. This helps them outrun many predators.