Chapter 1 WILDEBEESTS All kinds of animals migrate Different animals migrate for different reasons Some flee extreme conditions Some travel to mate and have young On the plains of Africa more than one million wildebeests roam in search of food They stampede across grassy plains swim across rivers and outrace predators to reach fresh green pastures Wildebeests live on the plains of southeastern Africa Why do they migrate 4 44
Wildebeests also called gnus have long faces shaggy manes and curved pointed horns They look like miniature bison but they are actually a kind of antelope Wildebeests are herbivores or plant eaters They fill up on green grass on the Serengeti Plain of southeastern Africa If grass isn’t available they eat leaves off shrubs and trees Once they eat their way through the food in one place they head to new pastures These wildebeests feed on grass 5
Great Migration The migration of wildebeests is one of the greatest wildlife events on Earth Every year one to two million wildebeests travel across the Serengeti Plain Under the hot sun the animals form a thundering herd that stretches to the horizon Millions of hooves pound the ground The herds kick up clouds of dust and make the ground tremble The migration attracts visitors from all around the world Wildebeests travel in large groups called herds 6
Compare It On Christmas Island near Australia more than one hundred million red crabs make their own great migration At the beginning of the wet season in October or November the crabs scuttle from the forest to the sea The 2 5-mile 4-kilometer journey is fi lled with danger The crustaceans must cross paved roads battle ants and climb down steep cliffs Once they reach the beach they mate drop their eggs into the sea and return to the forest These red crabs are making their way to the sea to lay their eggs 777777
