Teacher's Prompt: Wildebeests

It’s Wildlife Writing Wednesday, and we’ve compiled some additional information for you as the instructor in case:

• you want to offer any introductory discussion for your students before releasing the prompt to them

• it is helpful for you in your evaluation/understanding

• this understanding helps you to alter the prompt for grade level

PROMPT:

Each year in the wild, up to 500,000 Wildebeest calves are born. Generally, all Wildebeest calves are born around February. They learn to walk within minutes of birth. Within days, they are able to keep up with the herd. How is this different from a human's developmental timeline? How is a Wildebeest calf's experience different from a fully-grown Wildebeest's experience in their Great Migration?

The Wildebeest’s status in the wild is Least Concern according to IUCN’s Red List. A stable population trend is recorded online.

Just for fun:

• Mature Wildebeests can reach speeds of up to 50 miles per hour.

• In their migration, it is predicted that Wildebeest travel over 1200 miles.

Information Source: National Geographic