Blue Wildebeest And Nursing Calf (Connochaetes taurinus)
Masai Mara National Reserve
Kenya
East Africa
The blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus), also called the common wildebeest, white-bearded wildebeest or brindled gnu, is a large antelope and one of the two species of wildebeest. It is placed in the genus Connochaetes and family Bovidae and has a close taxonomic relationship with the black wildebeest.
This broad-shouldered antelope has a muscular, front-heavy appearance, with a distinctive robust muzzle. The adults' hues range from a deep slate or bluish gray to light gray or even grayish brown. Both sexes possess a pair of large, curved horns.
The blue wildebeest is a herbivore, feeding primarily on the short grasses. It forms herds which move about in loose aggregations, the animals being fast runners and extremely wary.
Blue wildebeest are found in short grass plains bordering bush-covered acacia savannas in southern and eastern Africa, thriving in areas that are neither too wet nor too arid.
Three African populations of blue wildebeest take part in a long-distance migration, timed to coincide with the annual pattern of rainfall and grass growth on the volcanic soil short-grass plains where they can find the nutrient-rich forage necessary for lactation and calf growth.
The blue wildebeest is native to Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) rates the blue wildebeest as being of Least Concern.
The population has been estimated to be around one and a half million and the population trend is stable. – Wikipedia
Blue Wildebeest And Nursing Calf (Connochaetes taurinus)
Masai Mara National Reserve
Kenya
East Africa
The blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus), also called the common wildebeest, white-bearded wildebeest or brindled gnu, is a large antelope and one of the two species of wildebeest. It is placed in the genus Connochaetes and family Bovidae and has a close taxonomic relationship with the black wildebeest.
This broad-shouldered antelope has a muscular, front-heavy appearance, with a distinctive robust muzzle. The adults' hues range from a deep slate or bluish gray to light gray or even grayish brown. Both sexes possess a pair of large, curved horns.
The blue wildebeest is a herbivore, feeding primarily on the short grasses. It forms herds which move about in loose aggregations, the animals being fast runners and extremely wary.
Blue wildebeest are found in short grass plains bordering bush-covered acacia savannas in southern and eastern Africa, thriving in areas that are neither too wet nor too arid.
Three African populations of blue wildebeest take part in a long-distance migration, timed to coincide with the annual pattern of rainfall and grass growth on the volcanic soil short-grass plains where they can find the nutrient-rich forage necessary for lactation and calf growth.
The blue wildebeest is native to Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) rates the blue wildebeest as being of Least Concern.
The population has been estimated to be around one and a half million and the population trend is stable. – Wikipedia