Using microclimate of arid landscape as a resource in goitered gazelle comfort behavior

Abstract

Animals living in desert environments have to be adaptable to significant temperature shifts in their surroundings. Ungulates have behavioral adaptations to adjust to thermoregulation problems and use the landscape features to lessen the effects of thermal fluctuations. In this paper, I investigated the usage of the local landscape by goitered gazelles (Gazella subgutturosa) in natural conditions to better understand behavioral adaptations of wild species to a northern arid environment. I found that during the hottest weather, goitered gazelle females and fawns used the shade of vegetation more often than males, while males preferred more elevated, windier places; while during winter, goitered gazelles of both sexes used deep, dry river beds in the foothills as a shelter against the strong winds in winter and early-spring. Body orientation with of pointing the hindquarters toward the wind was used infrequently than other protective behaviors. The sands of dry river beds were the most selected places for goitered gazelles to rest all year round, especially during the cold season. Using the microclimate features of the landscape is a very important part of the goitered gazelles’ adaptations, which help to reduce the costs associated with body thermoregulation and to endure the heavy heat load during summers and the severe harsh cold during winters.