The world of fauna is diverse and beautiful. One of its representatives is a wildebeest. This animal is an important component of the ecological and food chain.
Description
What does wildebeest mean? The definition of the species is this - this is a herbivore ruminant belonging to the order of artiodactyls, the family of bovids. Black and blue species live in nature. This is the most common type of antelope. In the reserves there are representatives of white-tailed wildebeests.
The body of the animal is disproportionate, the body is similar to the body of the horse, and the structure of the skull resembles the head of a bull. The legs are long and thin.
Has a large wide nose, small-sized eyes and ears. Horns of medium length, very sharp, elongated and bent up. At the base they are thicker than at the ends.
The colors of the wildebeest are gray and brown, with black transverse stripes. The mane and tail are quite long, have a dark gray or black color.
The height of the animal at the withers reaches 1.5 meters, weight - up to 300 kilograms. Despite the many threats that await antelopes, life expectancy may be more than twenty years.
Wildebeest - very fast animals, capable of developing high speed - up to 70 kilometers per hour.
They are curious. They come close to the subject that interests them for his research, but at the same time they are very shy.
Habitat and breeding
Wildebeest habitats are the savannahs of South and East Africa. Animals form a dense herd of thousands grazing on the steppes and plains.
Already found out what wildebeest is. The definition of the herd in which the animal lives is: a herd of antelopes is huge, so they have to migrate twice a year, in spring and autumn, after the rainy season. In search of juicy and fresh grass, it wanders from one place to another.
Unfortunately, such movements are not without sacrifices. Some animals may be trampled by relatives.
The breeding period of antelopes does not have a clear time frame, but often occurs in spring and summer.
Males fight for females, attacking each other with sharp horns. At the same time, opponents try to get into the most vulnerable place - the neck. In such fights, animals are measured by forces, it does not come to bloodshed. A strong and experienced male wildebeest receives a group of ten or more females. The weakest gets only one or two.
The female carries the calf a little more than eight months, after which one is born, rarely two babies. It is capable of independent movement, five minutes after birth, like many herbivores and artiodactyls. It is fed with milk, but also begins to eat grass quite early.
Food
Wildebeest is a mammal a herbivore. In search of plains abundantly covered with fresh grass, they can travel long distances. In food selective, consume certain varieties of herbs. Rarely, during a lack of food, leaves of shrubs serve as food.
These animals always stay near ponds, they love fresh water. In ponds can relax for hours, play with each other, take mud baths. They also need to drink plenty of water. Therefore, they never go long distances from sources.
Dangers for Antelopes
During nomadic crossings, animals often need to cross the river. Often a wildebeest path follows the same road. Therefore, ravines form in places near the rivers, making it difficult to cross through them. The danger is that antelopes have to jump from a height into the water, get out of it along a steep bank. Some animals can not cope with such a test. The situation is complicated by the fact that antelopes in search of grass are already quite exhausted.
At the ponds, another enemy awaits them , these are crocodiles. Predatory reptiles attack the wildebeest when quenching thirst or crossing a river. A crocodile is able to grab a wildebeest with its huge jaw, a dead grip, from which it is almost impossible to get out.
Enemy animals are also predatory animals such as lions, leopards, cheetahs and hyenas.
As a rule, lions prey on adult herbivores, one at a time or as a whole pride. Cheetahs, leopards and hyenas target wildebeests.
It is difficult to catch an antelope during the day, as they are able to defend themselves with sharp horns and blows of hooves, protect each other, their children, or escape, simply by quickly running away. Therefore, predators attack them at night. At this time, the antelopes are shy and defenseless, a panic is created in the herd, a stampede in which individuals can die. Especially defenseless kids in such a situation.
Another danger for antelopes is local people and poachers who hunt animals with traps and guns. Meat and wildebeest are highly regarded. Local authorities are forced to protect animals by law.
All these facts fully reveal the answer to the question of whether the wildebeest is an antelope or not.
These amazing animals have a unique body composition and an interesting lifestyle, being an important element in the nature of Africa.