What is the Difference Between Gazelle and Deer

Gazelles and deer are two hoofed animals that most of us often confuse with each other because of their similar slim builds and movements. However, they actually belong to different families.

What is the difference between gazelle and deer? Gazelles are antelopes with permanent horns, while deer are cervids with antlers that shed and regrow.

Key Areas Covered

1. Gazelle 
     – Features, Facts, & Behavior
2. Deer
     – Features, Facts, & Behavior
3. Similarities Between Gazelle and Deer
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Gazelle and Deer
     – Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Gazelle and Deer
     – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms

Antelope, Gazelle, Deer

Gazelle – Features, Facts, & Behavior

A gazelle is a type of antelope found in Africa and Asia. They belong to the same family as goats, cattle, and sheep. But they look like deer in their slim build and elegant movements. Gazelles have curved, ringed horns, tan or reddish-brown coats, and white rumps, often with spots or stripes. Their bodies are light and slender, which makes them fast and agile. They can sprint up to 60 mph in short bursts and keep a steady pace of 30–40 mph. When running, they often leap into the air with all four feet at once, a movement called pronking or stotting.

There are 19 different species of gazelles. Some are very small, like the Speke’s gazelle and Thomson’s gazelle. They are less than two feet tall at the shoulder. The largest is the dama gazelle, which can grow up to 5.5 feet tall and weigh as much as 165 pounds.

Gazelles usually live in hot, dry places such as savannas and deserts. These animals are very social. Some herds can have hundreds of gazelles, while others are smaller and separated by gender. Female herds usually include mothers and their young, while males live alone or in small “bachelor” groups. On average, gazelles live about 10 to 12 years.

Deer – Features, Facts, & Behavior

A deer is a member of the animal family Cervidae, which also includes elk, moose, reindeer (caribou), and muntjacs. These animals are cloven-hoofed, and they have compact bodies, long, slender legs, and short tails. Most male deer grow antlers. But both male and female reindeer grow antlers. The only deer without antlers is the Chinese water deer.

There are around 50 species of deer found around the world, except in Australia and Antarctica. The smallest species is the Southern pudu of South America, which stands just 14 inches tall and weighs about 20 pounds. On the other end, large species like elk and moose can weigh hundreds of pounds. Antlers grow from bony stalks called pedicels, and while growing, they are covered in a soft, sensitive tissue called velvet, which later sheds when the antlers harden.

Deer live in many different habitats, from forests and wetlands to grasslands, mountains, and even deserts. They are also adaptable and can sometimes be found near towns or cities. Deer are social animals and often live in herds. The structure of these herds depends on the species. In some, males and females stay separate, while in others, a dominant male leads the herd. Caribou herds are especially large and can number in the tens of thousands.

Similarities Between Gazelle and Deer

1. Gazelles and deer are both herbivores.
2. They rely on speed, agility, or hiding in herds to escape predators.
3. Both live in herds.

Difference Between Gazelle and Deer

Definition

• Gazelle is an antelope that belongs to the antelope group in the Bovidae family (related to goats, cattle, and sheep), whereas deer is a member of the Cervidae family (which includes moose, elk, and reindeer).

Horns vs. Antlers

• Gazelles have permanent horns that are curved and ringed. Both males and females usually have them. Deer have antlers, which are shed and regrown each year, and typically only males have them (except reindeer).

Body Build

• Gazelles are very slender and light-framed, built for speed and agility, whereas deer have a more compact torso with longer legs and a sturdier build.

Size

• Most gazelles are smaller and range from about 20 inches to 5.5 feet tall. Meanwhile, deer vary much more, from the tiny pudu at just 14 inches to the massive moose, which can reach over 6 feet at the shoulder.

Habitat

• Gazelles mostly live in Africa and Asia, often in hot savannas and deserts. Deer are found across North and South America, Europe, and Asia, in forests, grasslands, wetlands, and mountains.

Behavior

• Gazelles are known for speed and pronking, while deer are known for foraging and grazing, and they rely more on blending into their surroundings and herd behavior for safety.

FAQ: Gazelle and Deer

1. Is gazelle different from deer?

Yes, a gazelle is different from a deer. Gazelles are antelopes with slim, lightweight bodies and permanent horns, mostly found in Africa and Asia. Deer belong to a different family, grow antlers instead of horns,

2. What’s the difference between an antelope and a gazelle?

All gazelles are antelopes, but not all antelopes are gazelles. Gazelles are smaller, slimmer antelopes known for their speed and agility, while antelopes include many other species of different sizes and shapes.

3. Is a gazelle a deer?

No, a gazelle is not a deer. Gazelles belong to the antelope group in the Bovidae family, whereas deer belong to the Cervidae family.

4. Who is faster, a gazelle or a lion?

A gazelle is generally faster than a lion. Gazelles can sprint up to 60 mph in short bursts, while lions usually reach about 50 mph but only for very short distances.

Reference:

1. “Gazelles: Facts & Pictures.” Live Science.

2. “Facts About Deer.” Live Science.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Close Up Photo of a Gazelle” (CC0) via Pexels

2. “Spotted Deer in Masinagudi Forest Clearing” (CC0) via Pexels