Difference between revisions of "Wildebeest" - New World Encyclopedia
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| − | + | '''Wildebeest''' (plural, '''''wildebeest''''' or '''''wildebeests'''''), also called the '''gnu''', is the common name for an [[antelope]] of the [[genus]] ''Connochaetes'', characterized by horns in both sexes, which are smooth and initially curving downward, elevated shoulders, and thin legs. Gnus belong to the family ''[[Bovidae]]'', which includes antelopes, cattle, goats, and other even-toed horned [[ungulate]]s. ''Connochaetes'' includes only two extant species, both native to [[Africa]]: the [[Black Wildebeest]], or white-tailed gnu (''C. gnou''), and the [[Blue Wildebeest]], or brindled gnu (''C. taurinus''). | |
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| + | ==Description== | ||
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| + | Wildebeest | ||
Wildebeest grow to 3 [[foot (unit of length)|ft]] 9 [[inch|in]]–4 ft 7 in (1.15–1.4 [[metre]]s) at the shoulder and weigh 330–550 [[pound (mass)|pounds]] (150–250 [[kilogram]]s). They inhabit the plains and open woodlands of [[Africa]], especially the [[Serengeti]]. Wildebeest can live more than 20 years. | Wildebeest grow to 3 [[foot (unit of length)|ft]] 9 [[inch|in]]–4 ft 7 in (1.15–1.4 [[metre]]s) at the shoulder and weigh 330–550 [[pound (mass)|pounds]] (150–250 [[kilogram]]s). They inhabit the plains and open woodlands of [[Africa]], especially the [[Serengeti]]. Wildebeest can live more than 20 years. | ||
Revision as of 01:04, 20 May 2008
- "Gnu" redirects here.Template:Otheruses6
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 Blue Wildebeest
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Connochaetes gnou |
Wildebeest (plural, wildebeest or wildebeests), also called the gnu, is the common name for an antelope of the genus Connochaetes, characterized by horns in both sexes, which are smooth and initially curving downward, elevated shoulders, and thin legs. Gnus belong to the family Bovidae, which includes antelopes, cattle, goats, and other even-toed horned ungulates. Connochaetes includes only two extant species, both native to Africa: the Black Wildebeest, or white-tailed gnu (C. gnou), and the Blue Wildebeest, or brindled gnu (C. taurinus).
Description
Wildebeest
Wildebeest grow to 3 ft 9 in–4 ft 7 in (1.15–1.4 metres) at the shoulder and weigh 330–550 pounds (150–250 kilograms). They inhabit the plains and open woodlands of Africa, especially the Serengeti. Wildebeest can live more than 20 years.
Behavior
The principal food source of wildebeests is grasses. The seasonal nature of the African grasslands forces wildebeest to migrate. The main migration is in May, when around 1.5 million animals move from the plains to the woods; they return in November as summer rains water the plains.
The name wildebeest finds its origin in the Dutch and Afrikaans words wild and beest, which mean "wild animal" and "beest" in Afrikaans means "cattle" (or "steer"). Although the name is derived from the Dutch language, the name wildebeest doesn't officially exist in the Dutch language. The Dutch name for wildebeest is gnoe (where the Dutch "g" is pronounced [x], as in loch).
Afrikaners (Afrikaans-speaking South Africans) may have started using the name wildebeest for the animal as they had no other name for it when it was first encountered. "Gnu" is from a Khoikhoi language (which pronounced the [g]), likely an imitation of the grunting noise that a wildebeest makes.
The pronunciation of [gnuː] was popularised in English by the comic song "The Gnu" by Flanders and Swann, in which all words starting with n have a g prepended: 'I'm a g-nu, I'm a g-nu, the g-nicest work of g-nature in the zoo.'
See also
- Catoblepas (a legendary creature based on the wildebeest)
- The Great Space Coaster (children's show that featured newscaster Gary Gnu)
- White-bearded Wildebeest
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
External links
- Wildebeest (White Bearded).jpg
White bearded wildebeest at the Wildlife Ranch in San Antonio, TX
A grazing wildebeest
- WildebeestMigration.jpg
The wildebeest migration in the Serengeti
White bearded wildebeest, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.
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