User:Lillycazayoux/Thomson's Gazelle

Physiological Adaptations
'''Thomson’s gazelle exhibited metabolic adaptations to desert environments in an experiment conducted studying the effects of dehydration and heat stress on food intake and dry matter digestibility. When exposed to heat stress alone, neither the food intake or digestion of Thomson’s Gazelle was affected. Compared to some other east African ruminants which did change their food intake and digestion Thomson’s Gazelle is relatively well adapted to periodic heat stress. However, Thomson’s Gazelle is a very water dependent specie, and when exposed to dehydration its food intake decreased. This food intake was further depressed when exposed to dehydration in addition to heat stress. Some of this reduction can be attributed to a decrease in metabolism, which can help the animal conserve water . In another experiment that compared Thomson’s Gazelle and Grant’s Gazelle in foraging and behaviors to avoid predators, it was found that during drought Thomson’s Gazelle adjusted its diet. They would eat more grasses like Acacia spp. Which is high in tannins. Tannins are classified as an anti-nutritional factor, which can decrease metabolic performance . Thus this could be an adaptive behavior to help conserve water.'''