wildebeest

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Wildebeest
Blue Wildebeest, Mikumi National Park, Tanzania
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Artiodactyla
Family:	Bovidae
Genus:	Connochaetes Lichtenstein, 1812
Species
Connochaetes gnou Connochaetes taurinus

The wildebeest (plural wildebeest, wildebeests or wildebai), also called the gnu (pronounced /ˈnuː/^[1]), is an antelope of the genus Connochaetes. It is a hooved (ungulate) mammal. Wildebeest is Dutch for wild beast.

Connochaetes includes two species, both native to Africa: the Black Wildebeest, or white-tailed gnu (C. gnou), and the Blue Wildebeest, or brindled gnu (C. taurinus). Gnus belong to the family Bovidae, which includes antelopes, cattle, goats, and other even-toed horned ungulates.

Wildebeest grow to 3 ft 9 in (1.14 m) to 4 ft 7 in (1.40 m) at the shoulder and weigh 360–630 lb (160–290 kg). They inhabit the plains and open woodlands of Africa, especially the Serengeti National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tanzania, and Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya. Wildebeest can live more than 20 years.

Wildebeest are well known for their annual migration to new pastures. Many wildlife documentaries have featured this event, in which vast numbers of wildebeest can be seen crossing rivers, such as the Mara River and dying in large numbers as they attempt to reach the other side, because many of them are eaten by crocodiles while others simply drown. Although it is commonly assumed that this is simply a frenzy and that the wildebeest cross blindly, recent research has shown that a herd of gnu possesses what is known as a "swarm intelligence", whereby the animals systematically explore and overcome the obstacle as one.^{[citation needed]} Wildebeest have an apparent maximum running speed of around 64 km/h (40 mph).^{[citation needed]}

The major predators who prey on Wildebeest are lions, hyenas, cheetahs, and leopards. However, Wildbeest are very strong and can inflict considerable injury to even a lion. The primary defense is herding where the young animals are protected by the older larger ones while the herd runs as a group. A predator in the middle would get trampled. Typically the predators attempt to cut out a young or ill animal and attack without having to worry about the herd. Wildebeest have developed some additional sophisticated cooperative behavior and scientists are unsure how much is learned behaviorally and how much is hard wired into the DNA of the animal. For example, at night the animals will take turns sleeping while others stand guard against a night attack by predators.

References

1. ^ "gnu". Oxford English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. 2nd ed. 1989.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Connochaetes

• Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Route
• Seasonal Timing of the Serengeti Wildebeest Migration
• Updates and Research on wildebeest movements in Masai Mara