Gazelles have adapted to inhabit waterless steppe, subdesert, and even desert. They can extract water from the plants they browse without having to drink. They have narrow jaws and incisor rows for highly selective feeding on the most nutritious growth.

Native primarily to Africa and Asia, the gazelle thrives in a range of environments including savannas, grasslands, and deserts. They are particularly adapted to arid and semi-arid regions, where their remarkable speed and endurance help them evade predators in open landscapes.

The adaptations of gazelles can be seen in the physical stature of these animals. Their medium size means less skin area for excess moisture loss through evaporation. Their long limbs allow them to sprint rapidly out of the range of predators. The Thomson’s gazelle can reach speeds up to 40 miles per hour, according to National Geographic.

Gazelles rely on their speed to escape from predators. Gazelles can reach speeds up to 60 mph in short bursts and sustain speeds of 30 to 40 mph. When running, gazelles use a bounding leap, called "pronking" or "stotting," which involves stiffly springing into the air with all four feet. These animals are highly social.