Modern+Animal

Blue Wildebeest // (Connochaetes taurinus) // //Figure 1: Blue wildebeest//

The blue wildebeest, a large animal from the antelope family, is the most common of two species of wildebeest. It has an average lifespan of 20 years and can reach 2.4 meters in length, stand 1.4 meters tall at shoulder height and weigh up to 250 kilograms (150-250kg) when fully grown. It is said to be the toughest of the antelope family, resembling a mixture of a cow and a horse.

The name wildebeest comes from the Afrikaans word for 'wild beast'. However the blue wildebeest can also be known as the brindled gnu. The word brindled means a brownish, tawny or grey colour with streaks or spots and gnu orginates from the Koikhoi name for these animals 'gnou'.
 * Scientific Classification **
 * **Level** || Kingdom || Phylum || Class || Order || Family || Genus || Species ||
 * **Classification** || Animalia || Chordata  || Mammalia  || Artiodactyla  || Bovidae  || Connochaetes || Taurinus ||

**Habitat ** The blue wildebeest lives in Africa, ranging from Kenya to South Africa, where they are usually found in herds as they rely heavily on each other. Their natural habitat are bush covered savannahs and woodlands (where they may migrate to), however they can also be found at almost all national parks and reserves in Africa. The famous Serengeti-Masai Mara migration occurs at the end of each summer and is due to their need to follow seasonal rains and fresh grazing. // Figure 2: Map of Africa; outlining the areas in which the Blue Wildebeest can be found. // // Figure 3: The two environments in which are the Blue Wildebeests natural habitat; Woodlands and African Savannahs // //Figure 4: The famous Serengeti and Masai-Mara annual migration pattern// //Figure 5: Interactive Serengeti and Masai-Mara Migration Map//

**Adaptations ** __Structural/ Physical __ A structural adaptation the blue wildebeest has acquired over the years is its feeding apparatus, which is beneficial to its survival and eating habits. The blue wildebeest has a wide and flexible mouth for feeding on short grasses instead of only the scarce, long grasses. A large row of incisors also enables it to have a faster rate of grass intake. Therefore the blue wildebeest's mouth allows it to have a firmer grip and larger consumption of short grasses.

__Behavioural __ <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">A key factor contributing to the evolution and survival of the blue wildebeest is migration. It is able to spend half the year in short grass plains and the remaining months in drier woodland zones. This movement is due to the fact that its eating habits do not allow it to stay in one location for a long period of time. The ability to be able to survive in different environments is an adaptation which has greatly assisted in the blue wildebeest’s survival since predators cannot follow its path as they also have habitats and environments that are essential for their own survival.

__<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Physiological __ <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 22px;">The blue wildebeest possesses pretrial glands between its front hooves. These pretrial glands have a unique and distinct smell that stains surfaces it walks upon such as the ground, rocks etc. It is used to mark territories and pinpoint food sources for fellow wildebeests during its migratory process. This beneficial adaptation ensures the survival of many wildebeests by increasing the ease to find food sources with the help of others.

//<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Figure 6: Three adaptations of the Blue Wildebeest; Structural, Behavioural and Physiological. // //<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Their behavioural adaptation can also be referred to in Figure 4 and 5. //

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">**Bibliography**

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 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif;">ARKive - Blue wildebeest videos, photos and facts - Connochaetes taurinus. (n.d.). ARKive - Discover the world's most endangered species. Retrieved June 10, 2012, from http://www.arkive.org/blue-wildebeest/connochaetes-taurinus/
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif;">BBC Nature - Blue wildebeest videos, news and facts. (n.d.). BBC - Homepage. Retrieved June 10, 2012, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Blue_Wildebeest
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif;">Brindled gnu, Blue wildebeest. (n.d.). Welcome to www.ultimateungulate.com. Retrieved June 10, 2012, from http://www.ultimateungulate.com/Artiodactyla/Connochaetes_taurinus.html
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif;">Estes, R. D. (n.d.). Wildebeests of the Serengeti: migrating in great numbers, the signature antelope of the African savanna must dodge predators, drought, and human development. On the side, it shapes its own habitat | Natural History | Find Articles. Find Articles | News Articles, Magazine Back Issues & Reference Articles on All Topics. Retrieved June 13, 2012, from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1134/is_7_115/ai_n16713955/
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif;">Wildebeests, Wildebeest Pictures, Wildebeest Facts - National Geographic. (n.d.). Animals - Animal Pictures - Wild Animal Facts - Nat Geo Wild - National Geographic. Retrieved June 17, 2012, from http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/wildebeest/