Wildebeest
Connochaetes taurinus
Least concern.
DISTRIBUTION
Central, southern and eastern Africa, most commonly found in the Serengeti in Tanzania and Kenya.
SIZE
Length: 194-209 cm (6’4”-6’10”).
Height at shoulder: 1.2-1.4 m (4’2”-4’7”).
Weight Males: 150-270 kg (33-595 lbs).
Weight Females: 160-208 kg (353-459 lbs).
HABITAT
Open woodlands and grassy savanna plains.
REPRODUCTION
A single calf after a gestation of approximately 240 days.
DIET
Herbivore, preferring short grasses.
INTERESTING TIDBITS
- Wildebeest are also knows as Gnu(s).
- Although they prefer access to water, they are capable of living in the waterless areas of the Kalahari by digging up fluid-laden roots and tubers and eating melons.
- A very social animal, Wildebeest accumulate and migrate in large herds.
- Males and sometimes females, are cut out from their birth herd as yearlings and move in bachelor herds until reaching maturity between 3-5 years, at which time dominant males become territorial with an acquired herd of females.
- Calves are capable of standing and running within five minutes of birth.
- Wildebeests travel in large groups and make a large migratory circuit, travelling from the southeastern Serengeti plains, westward towards Lake Victoria, then north into Masai Mara before once again returning to the Serengeti when the rainy season returns.
- The Wildebeest at Mountain View Conservation Society is a companion animal to our other African species.
ANIMAL FACT SHEET
To download the information from this page and also get a full page photo of the Wildebeest click here for a PDF.
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