It’s marvellously magic here in the land of gnu-mania! I’ve been irrevocably seduced by this ecosystem, its endless vistas and mild (totally non-humid) climate. Game is everywhere and although 2 million odd wildebeest and tons of zebra are aggregating in this relatively small patch of preserved grassland (when compared to Serengeti from whence they’ve come), there is soooo much to see aside from the icons and their excessively abundant predators (I’ve seen hyena and lion daily for a week!). Grey-crowned cranes abound and ground hornbills show a fair abundance. Thompson’s and Grant’s gazelles are a treat not having these in RSA and even the things we do have exist as different races or sub-species up here. Instead of the Southern giraffe, they have the Masai giraffe (different patterning). The zebra is missing its typical RSA “shadow stripe” and is called a Plains zebra rather than a Burchell’s. Coke’s hartebeest, Kirk’s dikdik, Bohor reedbuck, Topi and Olive (in place of Chacma) baboons are some of the other new ones. The good ole wildebeest is called a white-bearded wildebeest and the whole place is alive with their loud gnuuu-ing and bouncy territorial antics.
On closer look…wildebeest are pure grazers and selective at that. They do not select for species or specific parts of the plant like other selective feeders but rather wildebeest are ‘site selectors’ and will only take forage 15 cm long or less. In this regard they trample and maintain their own pastures and their wide muzzles are perfectly adapted to crop the lawn. When resources are depleted, individual herds form massive aggregations and migrate to ‘greener pastures’ (in this case from the Serengeti which has dried up completely now North to the Masai Mara and across the croc-ridden Mara River in the process)
Where adequate food and water is available wildebeest are more sedentary and exhibit a harem system where the male selects and protects a demarcated territory containing the resources that female’s desire. When the females roam into his area in search of fresh grass or water, the male will herd them and attempt to keep them in his territory (especially during the rut when they are in oestrus). Breeding herds move in homeranges that expand in drought conditions (up to three times) and become fairly stable during favourable times.
A typical wildebeest territory is usually positioned in the direct vicinity of water and somewhere nearby a sandy area that can be used as a stomping ground. Wildebeest have pedal glands (glands between their hooves) and they rake the ground with their feet to release the scent into the sand. They also release this smell wherever they walk. They make large dung middens on their stomping patches. Wildebeest bulls will engage in horn rubbing against bushes or on the ground often becoming covered in mud, in order to transmit preorbital (below the eyes) glandular secretions. Sometimes prominent rubbing posts develop within their territories. Bulls that have territories spend much time as solitary animals (until females pass through and can be herded) and in this regard they are vulnerable to predators but since only territorial bulls will sire offspring, this is a risk they are willing to take. Bulls will chase intruders out of their territory and will wrestle on their knees with any offender that does not comply.
Wildebeest are very water dependent and they will drink daily even satisfying their thirst on muddied waters (unlike zebra). They will always be within a 15km radius of a water supply. Wildebeest have bodies that are modified to accommodate their migratory habits. The slanted back is a result of shoulders that are positioned high on the body and long front legs. This structure allows wildebeest to canter for long distances. The canter is an energy-efficient mode of locomotion that allows wildebeest to follow the signs of distant storms (thunder and lightning) at a pace faster than a walk but less tiring than a full out run or trot. The calf of the wildebeest is one of the most precocial (developed at birth) of all antelope species and can stand within a few minutes and can run within a mere five minutes. It is able to keep up with the herd within the day.
On closer look…wildebeest are pure grazers and selective at that. They do not select for species or specific parts of the plant like other selective feeders but rather wildebeest are ‘site selectors’ and will only take forage 15 cm long or less. In this regard they trample and maintain their own pastures and their wide muzzles are perfectly adapted to crop the lawn. When resources are depleted, individual herds form massive aggregations and migrate to ‘greener pastures’ (in this case from the Serengeti which has dried up completely now North to the Masai Mara and across the croc-ridden Mara River in the process)
Where adequate food and water is available wildebeest are more sedentary and exhibit a harem system where the male selects and protects a demarcated territory containing the resources that female’s desire. When the females roam into his area in search of fresh grass or water, the male will herd them and attempt to keep them in his territory (especially during the rut when they are in oestrus). Breeding herds move in homeranges that expand in drought conditions (up to three times) and become fairly stable during favourable times.
A typical wildebeest territory is usually positioned in the direct vicinity of water and somewhere nearby a sandy area that can be used as a stomping ground. Wildebeest have pedal glands (glands between their hooves) and they rake the ground with their feet to release the scent into the sand. They also release this smell wherever they walk. They make large dung middens on their stomping patches. Wildebeest bulls will engage in horn rubbing against bushes or on the ground often becoming covered in mud, in order to transmit preorbital (below the eyes) glandular secretions. Sometimes prominent rubbing posts develop within their territories. Bulls that have territories spend much time as solitary animals (until females pass through and can be herded) and in this regard they are vulnerable to predators but since only territorial bulls will sire offspring, this is a risk they are willing to take. Bulls will chase intruders out of their territory and will wrestle on their knees with any offender that does not comply.
Wildebeest are very water dependent and they will drink daily even satisfying their thirst on muddied waters (unlike zebra). They will always be within a 15km radius of a water supply. Wildebeest have bodies that are modified to accommodate their migratory habits. The slanted back is a result of shoulders that are positioned high on the body and long front legs. This structure allows wildebeest to canter for long distances. The canter is an energy-efficient mode of locomotion that allows wildebeest to follow the signs of distant storms (thunder and lightning) at a pace faster than a walk but less tiring than a full out run or trot. The calf of the wildebeest is one of the most precocial (developed at birth) of all antelope species and can stand within a few minutes and can run within a mere five minutes. It is able to keep up with the herd within the day.
"I'm a ga-nu...how do you do? I'm the ga-nicest ga-natured animal in the zoo...yes I'm a ga-nu!!!"
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment