Two of Africa's closely related animals are the gazelle and the gerenuk. You have probably seen tranquil pictures of these pretty animals in their soft tan and pure-white fur grazing on the open plains. While they retain separate herds, they frequently graze side by side. Both animals get enough moisture from their food that they can go longer without drinking water in that dry land than most animals.
These two are similar in many ways; the Creator adapted them well to their surroundings. They are long-legged and have long, curved horns that stand almost straight up over their small heads. Both have soft, dark eyes with good vision, as well as large, pointed ears for keen hearing. Both of them have long, slender necks, the gerenuk's being the longer. In fact, its native name means "giraffe necked."
Their food is primarily lush grass, but includes leaves and foliage of many trees and brush, and flowers and fruit from desert plants. One distinction of the gerenuk is its appetite for the foliage of the African thorn bush which is covered with sharp spikes. It is amazing how it avoids the thorns, but manages, sometimes standing upright on its hind feet, to get at the high branches. Other animals avoid that thorny bush.
There are about 14 species of gazelles, some not conforming in all respects with the others. Most common is the Thompson's, with a dark band on both sides. Two of the smallest are the Grant's and dorcas varieties.
Another difference between them is the way they respond to the threat of vicious animals. Gazelles, aware of approaching wild dogs, lions, leopards, etc., immediately jump high in the air, bouncing up and down to signal the rest of the herd. Then they all run off at speeds up to 40 miles an hour.
The gerenuks react differently. When their keen senses tell of a nearby threat, they pass the message around, then freeze like statues, at times standing still for several minutes. The threatening enemy, realizing it has been spotted, usually leaves. But if it seems evident that the enemy is going to attack, the gerenuks dash off in strong leaps and bounds at great speed, usually escaping.
These animals are always in the care of the One who created them, as the Bible tells us: "The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works." Psa. 145:99The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. (Psalm 145:9). He does not expect animals to know this, nor to thank Him for it.
But He has done something even greater for mankind in providing Himself as the Savior of sinners. He invites you and me to personally accept His death on the cross to put away our sins forever. Will you come to Him as a sinner in need and accept His loving gift of forgiveness and eternal life with Him in heaven? Each one of us should accept His invitation and thank Him for such love.