The blue wildebeest (or Connochaetes taurinus) is a large antelope native to Southern Africa. It is also known as the common or white-bearded wildebeest, or brindled gnu. They have a pale grey or brown coat with dark stripes across their neck, shoulders, and chest. Blue wildebeest have a long black tail and a long black mane, which either stands up or drapes over the neck depending on the subspecies. The beard trailing under the neck is white. The species is sexually dimorphic, with males being larger than females, but both males and females have distinctive, L-shaped horns. They stand 1.23m to 1.65m tall at the shoulder, are 1.7m to 2.4m long and weigh between 165kg and 290kg. Females on the other hand are 1.14m to 1.42m tall at the shoulder, 1.75m to 2.15m long and weigh 140kg to 260kg.
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Connochaetes taurinus
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blue-wildebeest
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Animal Facts
Blue wildebeest are so named because their coat has a blue sheen to it.
Blue wildebeest are known to migrate over 1000 miles every year and cross 2 rivers to do so.
Up to 90% of blue wildebeest offspring are all born within a 2 week birthing period.
Blue wildebeest are often seen in herds with plains zebra. The two species don’t compete for food though because zebras prefer long grass and wildebeest can then graze on the shorter grasses.
Not all blue wildebeest migrate; some female groups form closely bonded resident herds and remain in the same area year round.
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