This species is widely but unevenly distributed across the Arabian Peninsula inhabiting mountains, foothills and coastal plains - its range coincides closely with that of the acacia tree (Harrison). Mainly a grazing species, though this varies with food availability. It is less well adapted to hot, dry conditions than G. dorcas which appears to have replaced G. gazella through some of its range during the late Holocene during a period of climatic warming (Tchernov et al 1986/87).