[edit] Guide Note
The wildebeest or gnu is a mammal whose name comes from the South African Dutch word for "wild animal".1 Although a member of the antelope family, the wildebeest more closely resembles the bovines, such as the ox or bison.2
[edit] Fast Facts
- Habitat: Bushlands and grasslands3
- Diet: Herbivorous2
- Size: up to 4.5 ft2
- Weight: 330 to 550 lbs2
- Life span: average 20 years in the wild2
- Endangered: No4
- Predators: Cheetahs, hunting dogs, hyenas, lions5
[edit] Physical Description
The wildebeest has a large, box shaped head. They have sharp, curved horns, shaggy hair around the neck and pointed beards.2 A wildebeest is gray or dark brown in color with black stripes, tails, manes and faces.3 Although heavily build in the front of their bodies, wildebeests support their weight on long, thin legs.5
[edit] Behavior
The wildebeest is a territorial animal which travels in small herd while calves are young. Males stay with the females and calves for about a year before leaving to herd with other males. After about 4 years, the males become territorial.3 During dry periods the wildebeests move in herds towards water and scatter during the wet weather.1
[edit] Serengeti Migration
The large group of Serengeti wildebeests migrate each year, travelling 500 to 1000 miles. After reaching Lake Victoria the wildebeests head north into the Maasai Mara.5
The purpose of the migration is the search for forage and many wildebeests are killed swimming across the river.3
[edit] Related Pages on Mahalo
Africa |
Kenya |
Bison |
Lake Victoria |
Giraffe |
Rhinoceros |
Black Rhinoceros |
Leopards |
Lions |
Elephants