Description
The Arabian Sand Gazelle (Gazella marica) is a mammal indigenous to United Arab Emirates. It inhabits sandy and stony deserts, gravel plains, and coastal sabkhas of the arabian peninsula.
Habitat
Extended Data
Taxonomy
Fun Facts
The Arabian sand gazelle (reem in Arabic) is one of the most desert-adapted antelopes, capable of surviving without drinking water
They obtain all the moisture they need from the plants they eat and can concentrate their urine to minimize water loss
The UAE has been a global leader in gazelle conservation through breeding programs at the Arabian Wildlife Center and protected reserves
The reem gazelle appears in ancient Arabic poetry and is a symbol of grace and beauty in Gulf culture
They are incredibly fast, reaching speeds of up to 80 km/h (50 mph) to escape predators in open desert terrain