Wildebeest | Facts & Information

Origin

It inhabits, through numerous forms, Southern and eastern Africa, especially Kenya and Tanzania, from where it migrates, in very large groups, depending on the season, over a distance of hundreds of kilometers towards N-V.

The direction is determined by the sight or sniffing of rain, which these antelopes are able to sense from afar.

The name "wildebeest" comes, according to the locals, from the sounds that antelopes make and that are heard from far away. Among the varieties of this species are: white-tailed wildebeest (G. gnu), striped wildebeest (G. taurinus) and white-bearded wildebeest (G. t. albojubatus).

The wildebeest (Connochaetes gnu) is a truly fascinating animal in its appearance and behavior. Even though zoologists have considered it to be part of the antelope family, the wildebeest has nothing in common with their classic appearance, perhaps only the fantastic jumps that it is able to make.

Wildebeest Food

At the end of the rainy season these flocks head for food to the North-West, entering the territory of Kenya.

Like other antelopes, they mostly feed on grasses.

Appearance Wildebeest

Their stocky and slightly raised body rests on not too tall and slender legs, the head is almost square, and the lips are wide as in cattle. Both sexes have very wide horns, located on the edge of the frontal bone, flattened, scarred, bent laterally and downwards, the tips again pointing upwards.

The anterior part of the neck, nape, throat and cheeks are covered by long hair, the rest of the coat having tightly glued hair.

His body appears to consist of parts from other animals. Gnu has a massive Allure, which gives the impression of strength, power. The front is taller, the shoulders are solid and taller than the rump.Because of this, the back is sloping, and the height in front of the withers can reach up to 1.4 m.

A wildebeest can weigh around 250 kg. The head is similar to the deer, the horns are curved, like the musk ox. It has a horse-like Mane and tail and a tap-like barbison. The body is slender, like that of zebras, and the fine legs remind us of those of deer.

The head seems disproportionate to the body. The body is covered with Gray to blue hair. There are some darker streaks on the back, but these disappear towards the posterior part of the body. The Mane and tip of the tail differ in color from the rest of the body, being Chestnut in color.

The animal moves with its snout facing the ground, however it sees very well around because its eyes are placed horizontally. The female is not much different from the male, it is slightly smaller and has smaller horns.

Wildebeest Behavior

They live in large groups of 20 to 200 individuals, and when they migrate their number can exceed 1.3 million. heads. The road is very dangerous and many of the Antelopes no longer reach their destination. Females give birth to their young in the open field around prey animals, while the flock moves to places with fresh grass.

Although they can run only a few hours after birth, puppies are easy victims. The regularity of the routes and the vulnerability of the offspring make these animals the main target of many predators: lions, cheetahs, jackals, hyenas and African wild dogs.

When the herd is attacked, the males, who make up the first line of defense, react quickly, hitting the ground with their hooves and spinning their tails through the air. They fight using their horns, but in most cases they prefer to flee from predators, especially when there are no cubs in the herd.

When they are attacked by predators they announce themselves through different signals.

The road is dangerous, many antelopes not reaching their destination. Traveling together, antelopes more easily defend themselves from large predators. Father-wildebeest defends his family with great courage and devotion not wanting to put his own life in danger.

It is an intelligent animal, first of all seeks to resist the enemy, pulling out a characteristic fornait to scare his opponent. If he realizes he can't handle it, he uses his other weapon, running speed. Hunters tell of these antelopes that, although seriously injured, they continue to run long distances to save themselves.

Wildebeest Breeding

Because they migrate a lot, wildebeest do not form permanent pairs. Mating season begins when male wildebeest establish temporary territories and begin to attract females.

These territories are about 3000 m2 with 300 territories per square km. Males defend these small territories from other males while trying to attract females ready for mating with grunts and distinctive signs.

Wildebeest usually breed until the end of the rainy season, when the animals are in the best shape. The rainy season usually occurs between May and June. The gestation period is usually 23 days.