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Description
The shaggy gazelle, also known as the alpine gazelle, goat gazelle (goatzelle?) or false-goat, is a naturally evolved descendant of the Martian Rock Gazelle (Gazella dorcas altensis), a genetically-modified descendant of the Dorcas Gazelle that lives in the Martian Alps. These animals were chosen to populate Nea due to their adaptability and mountain-dwelling adaptations, as well as their tolerance of lower oxygen levels due to their genetic changes, all of which made them perfect to fill the herbivore niche in Nea's mountainous areas. A group of gazelle were placed in each of Nea's southern mountain ranges and over time they developed thicker coats of hair and shorter legs to cope with the terrain. They have also evolved shorter horns, as large horns aren't needed to fend off predators and they get tangled in the alpine forests. Due to the isolation between populations, there are 4 subspecies, 2 in the eastern mountain ranges, 1 in the forest and mountains near the western great lakes, this one being the Rufous Shaggy Gazelle (G. m. vulgaris) which is shown here, and 1 tiny population that is isolated in the south-eastern desert mountains. No one is sure how they got there but it's believed that they migrated to the mountains long ago and were cut off from the rest of the species. There is much debate over whether they should be classified as a separate species due to their various differences. The rufous shaggy gazelle has the largest range out of the subspecies, being found across the south-western mountain range as well as in the surrounding forest, right up to the edges of the desert that lies on the fringes of the southern great lakes. Shaggy gazelle live in small herds of several families, around 20-30 individuals per herd, and are found across Nea's southern mountains, as well as areas of tundra and forest, where they feed on all manner of vegetation, from grass to sticks depending on their habitat. The individuals that live in the desert mountains are also known to feed on spurges from time to time. As they are adaptable and can live without drinking, obtaining moisture from their food, shaggy gazelle are very common and face few threats. Their only main predators are Neanean Dragons, Black-headed Eagles, Sand Caimans and Humans, although hornbills, monitor lizards and snakes often prey on young calves. (Will update when more predators are released).

For 's Nea contest: hyrotrioskjan.deviantart.com/j…

EDIT: Added sand caimans as predators.

Description
The shaggy gazelle, also known as the alpine gazelle, goat gazelle (goatzelle?) or false-goat, is a naturally evolved descendant of the Martian Rock Gazelle (Gazella dorcas altensis), a genetically-modified descendant of the Dorcas Gazelle that lives in the Martian Alps. These animals were chosen to populate Nea due to their adaptability and mountain-dwelling adaptations, as well as their tolerance of lower oxygen levels due to their genetic changes, all of which made them perfect to fill the herbivore niche in Nea's mountainous areas. A group of gazelle were placed in each of Nea's southern mountain ranges and over time they developed thicker coats of hair and shorter legs to cope with the terrain. They have also evolved shorter horns, as large horns aren't needed to fend off predators and they get tangled in the alpine forests. Due to the isolation between populations, there are 4 subspecies, 2 in the eastern mountain ranges, 1 in the forest and mountains near the western great lakes, this one being the Rufous Shaggy Gazelle (G. m. vulgaris) which is shown here, and 1 tiny population that is isolated in the south-eastern desert mountains. No one is sure how they got there but it's believed that they migrated to the mountains long ago and were cut off from the rest of the species. There is much debate over whether they should be classified as a separate species due to their various differences. The rufous shaggy gazelle has the largest range out of the subspecies, being found across the south-western mountain range as well as in the surrounding forest, right up to the edges of the desert that lies on the fringes of the southern great lakes. Shaggy gazelle live in small herds of several families, around 20-30 individuals per herd, and are found across Nea's southern mountains, as well as areas of tundra and forest, where they feed on all manner of vegetation, from grass to sticks depending on their habitat. The individuals that live in the desert mountains are also known to feed on spurges from time to time. As they are adaptable and can live without drinking, obtaining moisture from their food, shaggy gazelle are very common and face few threats. Their only main predators are Neanean Dragons, Black-headed Eagles, Sand Caimans and Humans, although hornbills, monitor lizards and snakes often prey on young calves. (Will update when more predators are released).

For 's Nea contest: hyrotrioskjan.deviantart.com/j…

EDIT: Added sand caimans as predators.