Western white-bearded wildebeest

Western white-bearded wildebeest
An individual within a confusion (group or herd)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Artiodactyla
Family:	Bovidae
Subfamily:	Alcelaphinae
Genus:	Connochaetes
Species:	C. taurinus
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

1. "Connochaetes taurinus (Burchell, 1824) Blue Wildebeest". The Mammal Diversity Database. American Society of Mammalogists. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
2. "Western White-bearded Wildebeest (Subspecies Connochaetes taurinus mearnsi)". iNaturalist. Retrieved 2023-05-14.
3. "Connochaetes taurinus mearnsi (Heller, 1913)". www.gbif.org. Retrieved 2023-05-14.
4. "Western white-bearded wildebeest | mammal | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2023-05-14.
5. "Victoria Falls guide - Map of Africa". www.victoriafalls-guide.net. Retrieved 2023-05-14.