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Blue wildebeest
The Blue Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus), also called the Common Wildebeest, is a large antelope and one of two species of wildebeest. It grows to 115–150 cm shoulder height and attains a body mass of 168–274 kg. They range the open plains, bushveld and dry woodlands of Southern and East Africa, living for more than twenty years. The male is highly territorial, using scent markings and other devices to protect his domain. The largest population is in the Serengeti, numbering over one million animals.
its short haired hide, differentiating this species from the plainer black genus member Black Wildebeest. The name "gnu" originates from the Khoikhoi name for these animals, "gnou".The Blue Wildebeest and Black Wildebeest or White-tailed Gnu are the two species of the genus Connochaetes, within the family Bovidae, which includes antelopes, cattle, goats, and other even-toed horned ungulates. The Blue Wildebeest is sometimes called Brindled Gnu. Other common terms for the Wildebeest include gnu and nyumbu (Swahili). The animal's specific name taurinus is Latin for "like a bull". Fun facts about the blue wildebeest - All wildebeest populations across Africa have declined except for the Serengeti population. - Wildebeest are noisy creatures. Bulls have an array of loud vocalizations, from moans to explosive snorts. - The wildebeest sleep in rows on the ground. |
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