The black wildebeest, Connochaetes gnou, also called the white-tailed gnu, is one of the two closely related wildebeest species. It was first described in 1780 by Eberhard August Wilhelm von Zimmermann. Adults measure 1.7 to 2.2 metres from head to rump and weigh 110 to 180 kilograms, with a dark brown to black coat and a long, white, horse-like tail. It is an herbivore whose diet is almost entirely grasses, and it lives on open plains, grasslands and karoo shrublands. Females form herds, young males form bachelor herds, and territorial bulls hold their own ground. Natural populations in southern Africa were almost wiped out in the 19th century by hunting, and the species has since recovered in reserves and on farms.
Facts
Classification
Population Trend System (Realm) Relationship to PeopleFarmed or Commercially Raised 1 Relationship to People Living or Extinct Conservation Status Connections
Child Taxon Of
In Biome
Source Black wildebeest (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Black wildebeest (Wikipedia)
Threats and conservation
reason the International Union for Conservation of Nature, in its Red List of Threatened Species, rates the black wildebeest as being of least concern Its introduction into Namibia has been a success and numbers have increased substantially there from 150 in 1982 to 7,000 in 1992.
Lead
The black wildebeest or white-tailed gnu (Connochaetes gnou) is one of the two closely related wildebeest species.
Lead, diet
The black wildebeest is an herbivore, and almost the whole diet consists of grasses.
Threats and conservation, population trend
The population is now trending upward (particularly on private land) and for this reason the International Union for Conservation of Nature, in its Red List of Threatened Species, rates the
Distribution and habitat
However, as a result of massive hunting of the animal for its hide, they vanished from their historical range, and are now largely limited to game farms and protected reserves in southern Africa.
Description
Individuals may live for about 20 years.
Lead, system
The black wildebeest inhabits open plains, grasslands, and karoo shrublands.
View the SourceArtiodactyla (Wikipedia)
In Group: Even-Toed Ungulates (Artiodactyla), Inner systematicsQuote, In Group: Even-Toed Ungulates (Artiodactyla), Inner systematics
The bovids (Bovidae) are the most species-rich family.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.