Bridled Gnus live in southern Africa. They can be 6 to 7 feet long and 4 to 5 feet high. Did you know they can weigh up to 350 to 500 pounds. Gnus eat grasses and leaves of small plants. They can live up to be over 20 years old. The mothers can have only one young. Gnus can run up to 50 miles an hour. This is a cool fact that the newborns can stand and run at only five minutes old. The male gnus head has curved horns on it. Gnus protect themselves by outrunning lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas. Gnus have white beards. This is also a cool fact that male and female gnus live apart in herds of up to 1000 animals. Did you also know when they are 3 or 4 years old, male gnus start to leave the herd and own their own territories. There are rarely any serious fights between these territories. They usually push horns against horns. In the dry season, gnus take long trips looking for water and grasses. Thousands die of exhaustion during these trips. Gnus are hunted for their leather. Their numbers have declined in recent years. But large herds are still found in eastern Africa. That's why I think Brindled Gnu's are interesting!
"Brindled Gnu (Wildebeest)." Amazing Animals of the World®. 2010. Grolier Online. 7 Apr. 2010 .
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