WILDLIFE SOUTH AFRICA |
| BLUE WILDEBEEST /
BRINDLED GNU |
Latin Name: Connochaetes
taurinus Afrikaans: Blou Wildebees |
 |
Distribution in South
Africa: |
Found more often in the northwestern, north eastern, eastern and northern parts of South Africa. Blue Wildebeest are plentiful in the Kruger National Park. |
Difference between Black and Blue
Wildebeest: |
Blue wildebeest are much larger and heavier than the Black Wildebeest and their horns curve to the side outwards and then up, unlike the horns of Black Wildebeest that curve downward, forward and then upwards from the front. Blue Wildebeest have a black mane and tail (Black Wildebeest have whitish tails and manes). Black Wildebeest are not found in the Kruger National Park and occurs more towards the south of South Africa and in the highveld. |
Habitat: |
Open bushveld, or savanna grassland and savanna woodland near accessible water, however they are able to adapt very well, as can be seen of the Blue Wildebeest that are found in the dry Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. |
| Behaviour / Habits: |
Highly gregarious, usually found in herds of about 20 to thirty mainly females and young with a bull as leader. They can number from a few individuals up to hundreds and even thousands, in some areas, during migrations and in breeding season. Territorial bulls defend the cows around their territory; however cows tend to move through various territories. Bachelor herds are usually found around edges of larger breeding herds. Blue Wildebeest tend to move seasonally after grazing and water. |
Day or night: |
Blue Wildebeest are diurnal and are most active during the cooler parts of the day, seeking shade in the heat of day. |
| Difference between male and female: |
Bulls are slightly higher at the shoulder and heavier than the cows. The horns of the bulls are on average larger, heavier and more robust than the horns of the female. |
Mass: |
Male: 230 to 270 Kilograms. Shoulder height 1.5 meters - Female: 160 to 200 kilograms - Shoulder height 1.3 meters. The heaviest Blue Wildebeest was one found in the Kruger National Park which weighed 307.5 kilograms. |
| Lifespan: |
About 20 years |
| Reproduction Breeding: |
Mating season – March to June. Calves are born during mid- November to December, although it varies from area to area |
Gestation period: |
250 days (about 8 and a half months). Usually a single calf is born. |
| Diet / Food and water: |
Blue Wildebeest are primarily grazers, showing a preference for short green grass. |
| Enemies: |
Lion, Leopard, Spotted Hyena, Wild dog (Cape Hunting Dog), Cheetah, Crocodiles and humans. |
Interesting facts: |
They often mingle with especially zebras, but also with giraffe and impala as well. |