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Who plays the biggest part in the African Migration? Wildebeest! (They have a tough life, too) The Great African Migration is also sometimes called the Great Wildebeest Migration or the Wildebeest and Zebra Migration.
Known for their scary appearance thanks to their oversized head, sharp and curved horns, and a ragged mane, the African gnu is also more commonly known as the Wildebeest. However, they are not as scary as they seem.
Wildebeest
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| Courtesy: National Geographic |
Size: ≤4.5 ft / 1.4 m
Weight: 330-350 lb / 150-250 kg
Diet: Herbivorous (hence the grass/migration)
Lifespan: 20 years (average) in wild
Appearance: oversized head, sharp/curved horns, ragged mane, large front quarters
Status:
Their numbers are still high and stable! That doesn't mean we should be careless, though. Not listed as endangered.Throughout the entire year, wildebeest circle the continent of Africa to follow the rains and where the grasses are greener. Here is a map of the range of land wildebeests travel:
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| Courtesy: National Geographic |
Although wildebeest look intimidating, I actually feel pretty bad for them. They are the main source of food for lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, and hyenas! That's a lot of predators. But that's just how Mother Nature works things. (Random thought: Maybe that's why they look so scary--to attempt to scare off there predators!)
Wildebeest are part of the antelope family. They can get pretty big, too! But the real surprise is that females grow horns as well! Not your average antelope-cow, right? Their reproduction rates are extremely high as well. Each year, antelope herds produce a total of 500,000 calves in all of Africa!
Migration
Like most migrating herds, the weather dictates their migration path. They follow the rains to where the grasses are more green and nutritious. The path they take may vary from year to year, but if you want a guaranteed view of wildebeest in action, then your best bet would be in May or June. This is when they are most active, as the rainy seasons have only begun a little while ago, and their calves are able to keep up with the herd for extremely long distances.
Amazing Calves
Wildebeest newborn like to tough it out. They can stably walk just minutes after their birth, and in a couple of days, are able to walk with the herd for a while without tiring. Amazing, right?
A Dangerous On-The-Road Life
Wildebeest are constantly moving throughout the year. They never stop in any area for long. Once the green pastures have been grazed clean, they move on to the next one. Unfortunately, that also makes them vulnerable to sudden attacks from unsuspecting predators. This especially applies to lions and cheetahs. Why? Because once a lion or cheetah targets a victim, they will stop at nothing to catch their prey. What would that feel like?
Well, imagine it was just you and your extended family plus some friends. You don't have a house, or a car. You just happen to have enough money to buy food at restaurants wherever you go. Every day, it is the same routine--buying food as you go along, then walking miles and miles to a new shopping mall where there is more food for your family. You are always alert, because at night and the early mornings, kidnappers may be stalking your traveling group at any time, ready to attack. When a kidnapper does spot a nice victim, you have to run for miles, dodging cars, buildings, and trashcans. And yet almost every time you spot a kidnapper, someone in your traveling group is kidnapped.
Tough life, right?
I think the wildebeest deserve a clap on the back, don't you? They not only have to be always on the go to ensure every member of the herd is well fed, but they also have to always keep a lookout for menacing predators. The calves don't have it any easier. They have to be able to keep up with the herd only within a week of their birth, and if they can't keep up, then too bad for them--they become an easy target for predators.
So the next time you see wildebeest (whether at a zoo or on TV or a computer), remind yourself: We as humans are actually pretty privileged.
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Up next on WeForWildlife: The African Lion!
The life of the King of the African Plains, how they hunt, and more!
Wildebeest post Sources:
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/wildebeest/
Migration
Like most migrating herds, the weather dictates their migration path. They follow the rains to where the grasses are more green and nutritious. The path they take may vary from year to year, but if you want a guaranteed view of wildebeest in action, then your best bet would be in May or June. This is when they are most active, as the rainy seasons have only begun a little while ago, and their calves are able to keep up with the herd for extremely long distances.
Amazing Calves
Wildebeest newborn like to tough it out. They can stably walk just minutes after their birth, and in a couple of days, are able to walk with the herd for a while without tiring. Amazing, right?
A Dangerous On-The-Road Life
Wildebeest are constantly moving throughout the year. They never stop in any area for long. Once the green pastures have been grazed clean, they move on to the next one. Unfortunately, that also makes them vulnerable to sudden attacks from unsuspecting predators. This especially applies to lions and cheetahs. Why? Because once a lion or cheetah targets a victim, they will stop at nothing to catch their prey. What would that feel like?
Well, imagine it was just you and your extended family plus some friends. You don't have a house, or a car. You just happen to have enough money to buy food at restaurants wherever you go. Every day, it is the same routine--buying food as you go along, then walking miles and miles to a new shopping mall where there is more food for your family. You are always alert, because at night and the early mornings, kidnappers may be stalking your traveling group at any time, ready to attack. When a kidnapper does spot a nice victim, you have to run for miles, dodging cars, buildings, and trashcans. And yet almost every time you spot a kidnapper, someone in your traveling group is kidnapped.
Tough life, right?
I think the wildebeest deserve a clap on the back, don't you? They not only have to be always on the go to ensure every member of the herd is well fed, but they also have to always keep a lookout for menacing predators. The calves don't have it any easier. They have to be able to keep up with the herd only within a week of their birth, and if they can't keep up, then too bad for them--they become an easy target for predators.
So the next time you see wildebeest (whether at a zoo or on TV or a computer), remind yourself: We as humans are actually pretty privileged.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Up next on WeForWildlife: The African Lion!
Wildebeest post Sources:
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/wildebeest/
