The Wildebeest, also called a Gnu, is an ungulate mammal found in Southern Kenya, South Angola to north south Africa. Wildebeests are antelopes and belong to the bovidae family which also includes cows, goats and sheep.
Gnus, or wildebeests, are large African antelopes. They look like thin, muscular cows with large, sloping backs, curved horns and striped bodies.
Wildebeests can reach 8 feet in length, stand 4.5 feet tall at the shoulders and weigh up to 600 pounds. Both males and females grow horns.
Wildebeests are grazing herbivores that feed upon grass and succulent plants. Massive herds migrate for hundreds of kilometres in search of fresh grass.
The blue wildebeest is bigger than the black wildebeest. The blue wildebeest can be found in Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland and Angola. It inhabits short grass plains bordering bush-covered acacia savannas.
In 1823, William John Burchell first described the wildebeest. Its scientific name combines two Greek words that describe its appearance. In African countries, the animal known as gnu is nicknamed wildebeest, which means “wild beast” in English.
Wildebeest got name as in Dutch it means wild beast. In Africa it means bison. Baby wildebeest is called calf. Wildebeests rarely attack humans. Only in captivity they attack when territory entered. Wildebeests important in web of life. Droppings serve as fertilizer where they migrate.
Herd of wildebeest called confusion. Native to Africa. Each year massive migration. About two million join to find greener areas. These wildebeests sleep about four and half hours day. Includes non-REM and REM.
Wildebeest are grazing herbivores feeding on grass and plants. Huge herds migrate hundreds kilometres search of grass after rains.
Earned name “wild beast” for menacing appearance – large head, mane, beard and horns.
Indigenous to Africa. Embark on massive yearly migration. Around two million come together for greener pastures.
Are wildebeest friendly to humans?
Wildebeest, commonly referred to as gnus, are typically untamed creatures with varying responses toward humans. In their natural habitat, wildebeest display inherent wariness and caution in the presence of humans, owing to their status as prey animals and their innate instinct to evade potential threats. In wildlife reserves and national parks, where wildebeest have grown accustomed to human presence and safari vehicles, they may exhibit a certain degree of tolerance towards humans. Nevertheless, it is crucial to bear in mind that they remain wild animals and should be approached with respect and vigilance.
It is very rare for a wildebeest to attack a human being. They only attack if they are held in captivity and a human comes into their territory. Wildebeest are killed for food, especially to make biltong in Southern Africa. This dried game meat is a delicacy and an important food item in Africa. The meat of females is more tender than that of males, and is the most tender during the autumn season.
Why are wildebeest called wildebeest?
Wildebeest is an Afrikaans name that means “wild beast.” Gnu is a derivation of the name used by native Africans. The names are used interchangeably. A gathering of gnus is called a herd. Can humans eat wildebeest? Uses and interaction with humans.
Wildebeest are animals that also have horns curled from their heads. Male wildebeest horns are twice as large as female wildebeest. Male wildebeest’s horns are 33 inches (half the height of a typical refrigerator), while females’ horns are 12 to 16 inches (30 times longer than an aspirin pill). As they age, the bases of their horns become rougher.
Blue wildebeests typically grow to a height of 4 1/2 feet, or 3 1/2 times taller than a bowling pin. They can also weigh up to 600 pounds, about half the weight of a polar bear. When they travel for migratory purposes, they travel in flocks of at least 1,000 heads. Their habitat is where wildebeest roam freely when they are close to each other. They are very protective of their territory.
It is a continuous and cyclical movement that follows the availability of food and water resources. They are always moving and never stay in one place for too long. Wildebeest like to graze around during the day or night. They also like taking naps, while some keep watch for potential predators.
The herd of zebra joins the wildebeest migration as they are great in looking at any threat. The wildebeest have a good sense of hearing and smell that helps both to protect from the predator and searching in food. The zebra has a great eye sight to see any threat.
Is a wildebeest a buffalo?
The buffalo is much larger than the wildebeest. The largest buffalo can weigh 2,000 pounds, stand 5 feet 6 inches tall, and measure 11 feet long. That is bigger than a 550- to 600-pound, 4-foot 8-inch tall, 8-foot long wildebeest.
There are more buffalo species than two wildebeest species. Wildebeests live in African savannas. Buffaloes live on all continents except Australia. Wildebeests are wild. Buffaloes are mainly domestic. Wildebeests live longer than buffaloes.
The wildebeest is a large antelope with buffalo-like horns. Its horns are part of its skull. The common wildebeest migrates in Africa.
Buffaloes and wildebeests differ. Buffaloes are often brown, black, or reddish-brown with long snouts, short fur, and large horns that curve up and point back. Wildebeests have large heads with shaggy manes. Their heads are broad with heavy horns.
Wildebeest herds can number 1,000 plus in wet seasons when food is plentiful. Buffalo mate then. Wildebeest mate in dry seasons when food is scarce but present for calves. This ensures food for young.
The Bible prohibits eating animals without split hooves that don’t chew cud, like pigs and horses. It bars shellfish and blood too.
Many Vietnamese accept the water buffalo as Vietnam’s national animal. Buffalo aid Vietnam’s economy and culture. They provide meat. Cows are female cattle. Buffaloes are a separate bovine species.
Wildebeests migrate far for fresh shoots. Territorial buffaloes traverse the same, short distances for pasture. Wildebeests are antelopes. Several big, horned bovids are called buffaloes. The African buffalo resides in sub-Saharan Africa. American bison are also buffaloes.