gnou

Gnou, commonly referred to as the gnu in English, denotes the wildebeest, large African bovids of the genus Connochaetes. The two living species are the blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) and the black wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou). The term gnou is used in some languages to refer to these animals; in English, gnu and wildebeest are both common names.

They are robust, with horse-like bodies and a shoulder height roughly between 1.0 and 1.3 meters. Blue wildebeest have a gray‑blue coat with a darker face and a black mane, while black wildebeest are darker, with a bristly mane and a pale stripe along the flank. Both sexes possess horns that curve outward and upward, though males generally have longer horns.

Distribution and habitat: Blue wildebeest are widespread across southern and eastern Africa, notably in the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem. Black wildebeest are native to southern Africa, occurring in dry savannas and open grasslands in South Africa and Namibia.

Behavior: Wildebeest are highly social and form large herds. They are predominantly grazers, feeding on grasses and often migrating seasonally to follow rainfall and fresh pastures. The Serengeti–Masai Mara migration, involving millions of individuals, is one of the best-known wildlife phenomena. Breeding usually occurs during the rainy season; gestation lasts about eight months, and calves remain with the herd for several months.

Conservation: Both species are currently assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN, though local populations can be affected by drought, disease, and habitat loss.