The wildebeest, also known as the gnu (pronounced as NOO or NEW) is a common and large antelope species of the genus Connochaetes. It is a even-hooved (ungulate) mammal native to Africa.
Facts[]
Gnus belong to the family Bovidae, which includes antelopes, cattle, goats, and other even-toed horned ungulates. Connochaetes includes two species, both native to Africa: the black wildebeest, or white-tailed gnu (C. gnou); and the blue wildebeest, or brindled gnu (C. taurinus). Fossil records suggest these two species diverged about one million years ago, resulting in northern and southern species. The blue wildebeest changed very little from the ancestor species, while the black wildebeest took on more morphological changes to adapt to a habitat of open grassland in the south. Today, the blue wildebeest has five subspecies, while the black wildebeest has no named subspecies.
In East Africa, the wildebeest is the most abundant big-game species, both in population and biomass.
In Walking with... Series[]
Walking with Cavemen[]
Savage Family[]
The wildebeest appears in this episode. A group of Homo ergaster chase one of the antelope in the first third of the episode, almost exhausting it to death. Then they move in for the kill and then take parts of the animal back to their camp for later consumption.
Appearances[]
- Walking with Dinosaurs
- Walking with Beasts
- Next of Kin (carcass, promotional image)
- Walking with Cavemen
Gallery[]
