Western white-bearded wildebeest
| Western white-bearded wildebeest | |
|---|---|
| |
| An individual within a confusion (group or herd) | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Family: | Bovidae |
| Subfamily: | Alcelaphinae |
| Genus: | Connochaetes |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: | C. t. mearnsi
|
| Trinomial name | |
| Connochaetes taurinus mearnsi (Heller, 1913)
| |
| |
| C. t. mearnsi range (yellow) | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Gorgon albojubatus mearnsi (E.Heller, 1913)[1] | |
The western white-bearded wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus mearnsi) also known as Mearn's white-bearded wildebeest, Mearn's wildebeest,[2] Serengeti white-bearded wildebeest, or the Serengeti wildebeest,[3] is a subspecies of the blue wildebeest being the smallest, and lightest subspecies of the species. It is one of the only subspecies of the blue wildebeest to have a sustainable population in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, with over one million individuals. They are known for one of the greatest migrations to travel between Tanzania and Kenya.[4]
Description
The western white-bearded wildebeest on average reaches 1.30-1.42 m (4.26-4.65 feet) tall, and weighs 180-225 kg (396-496 pounds) at its maximum weight. It has a long white beards, black front face, and a darker colored body, smaller horns, and a swaying dark black tail. It is 50 kg (110 pounds) lighter than the nominate subspecies, Connochaetes taurinus taurinus, and 10 cm (3.93 inches) shorter.[4]
Distribution and habitat
The western white-bearded wildebeest is native to northwestern Tanzania, and southwestern Kenya.[3][4] In Tanzania, its populations cover Serengeti National Park, being a very common sight there. They are also seen in the Masai Mara in Kenya.[4]
Habitat
Its habitat is mostly made up of savanna, grassland, and some scattered dry forests. The western white-bearded wildebeest range is entirely within the tropics zone.[3][4][5]
References
- ^ "Connochaetes taurinus (Burchell, 1824) Blue Wildebeest". The Mammal Diversity Database. American Society of Mammalogists. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
- ^ "Western White-bearded Wildebeest (Subspecies Connochaetes taurinus mearnsi)". iNaturalist. Retrieved 2023-05-14.
- ^ a b c "Connochaetes taurinus mearnsi (Heller, 1913)". www.gbif.org. Retrieved 2023-05-14.
- ^ a b c d e "Western white-bearded wildebeest | mammal | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2023-05-14.
- ^ "Victoria Falls guide - Map of Africa". www.victoriafalls-guide.net. Retrieved 2023-05-14.