Gnus are mammals that live mostly in central and southern Africa, grazing on the grasses and low scrub of the open plains. At one time there were many herds of them. They are very sociable animals and often mingle with herds of zebras, ostriches or antelopes.

Whenever strange intruders appear the gnus behave in a rather odd manner. They ruffle up their fur, paw the ground and go into a thundering charge. But after going only a short distance they stop, wheel round and see what effect their display is having. If the charge has made no impression then the gnu beats a hasty retreat. However the thundering sound of hooves of a charging herd of guns is often enough to drive away any intending attacker.

The gnu is a ruminant and a very strongly built animal. In South Africa it is kept on farms like a domestic beast. Its body resembles that of a horse but its head is very large and covered in a thick tuft of hair. It has a pair of sharply curving horns which are very thick at the base.