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The dama gazelle, addra gazelle, or mhorr gazelle (''Nanger dama'', formerly ''Gazella dama'') is a species of gazelle. It lives in Africa in the Sahara desert and the Sahel. This critically endangered species has disappeared from most of its former range due to overhunting and habitat loss, and natural populations only remain in Chad, Mali, and Niger.〔 Its habitat includes grassland, shrubland, semi-deserts, open savanna and mountain plateaus.〔 Their diets includes grasses, leaves (especially ''Acacia'' leaves), shoots, and fruit. In Niger, the dama has become a national symbol. Under the Hausa name ''meyna'' or ''ménas''〔(Dama Gazelle Nanger dama ). Sahara Conservation Fund, 2007, 2011.〕 the dama appears on the badge of the Niger national football team, who are popularly called the ''Ménas''.〔(Orange 2012 Afcon qualifiers :130 Million FCFA for the Menas ). 22/05/2011 StarAfrica sports.〕〔(Menas to test Pharaohs form ). Confederation of African Football. 10-09-2010〕 ==Description== The dama gazelle is white with a tannish-brown head and neck. Both sexes usually have medium-length ringed horns curved like an "S". Males' horns are about long, while females' horns are much shorter. The gazelles' heads are small with narrow muzzles, their eyes are relatively large, and they have longer necks and legs than most gazelles. These animals are between tall at the shoulder,〔(Arkive Dama Gazelle )〕 weigh between , and have lifespans up to 12 years in the wild or 18 in captivity.〔Gazella Dama Historical Studbook, AZA, 2008〕 A few days following birth, dama young are strong enough to follow the herd, and after a week, they are able to run as fast as the adults. Damas are considered the largest type of gazelle, with incredibly long legs, which provide extra surface area on their bodies to dissipate heat, one of the many ways they stay cool in their hot desert environment. They also tend to need more water than some of their desert relatives, but they can withstand fairly long periods of drought. Unlike many other desert mammals, damas are a diurnal species, meaning they are active during the day. Always on the alert, damas use a behavior called pronking to warn herd members of danger. Pronking involves the animal hopping up and down with all four of their legs stiff, so their limbs all leave and touch the ground at the same time. Males also establish territories, and during breeding season, they actively exclude other mature males. They mark their territories with urine and dung piles and secretions from glands near their eyes. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Dama gazelle」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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