WILDEBEEST
(Connochaetes taurinus)
Afrikaans
Zulu
Zulu
: Blouwildebees.
: Nkhonhoni.
: Nkhonhoni.
Mass
Gestation
Life span
Mating season
Gestation
Life span
Mating season
: 160-260 kg
: 8-9 months.- 1 calf (22kg)
: 16-20 years.
: (peaks) May-June.
: 8-9 months.- 1 calf (22kg)
: 16-20 years.
: (peaks) May-June.
Calves which are light brown in colour, are suckled for 7-8 months, but will
eat grass earlier.
eat grass earlier.
The males are holding territories often only 30 m; across near their female herds. And the herds eat the softer or middle layer of the grass. For that reason, when the migration starts the Wildebeest will follow the Zebra, as the latter will eat the longer courser grass.
The have ridged teeth, and the jaw moves from side to side. They do have 4 stomachs, needed to digest the grass, and the first stomach can return the food to the mouth for a 2nd grinding session.
They do like dust baths, and often evidence of that can be seen in the form of denuded patches of grass.
Both the male and female have horns, and when facing the Wildebeest head-on, the male has a complete black frontal section, while the female is brownish on the forehead and in between the horns.
Both the male and female have horns, and when facing the Wildebeest head-on, the male has a complete black frontal section, while the female is brownish on the forehead and in between the horns.
For quick flight from a predator, each foot has only two large toes with a
few thick bones, and is extended so that the animal stands on tiptoe, which lengthens its stride.
The toes also have tough hooves to withstand pounding during running.
Like most of the antelopes on grass lands, the eyes are at the side of the
head, to enable them to watch out for predators all around them.
few thick bones, and is extended so that the animal stands on tiptoe, which lengthens its stride.
The toes also have tough hooves to withstand pounding during running.
Like most of the antelopes on grass lands, the eyes are at the side of the
head, to enable them to watch out for predators all around them.
In many parts of Africa, especially in the Serengeti, thousands of Wildebeest can be seen at one time during the migration.
They are quite noisy animals, and calves often call for their parents, and it has been recorded that Zebra's singled out a Wildebeest calf and kicked it to dead, so as not to attract predators.
Their scent forms an important part of communication.
They are quite noisy animals, and calves often call for their parents, and it has been recorded that Zebra's singled out a Wildebeest calf and kicked it to dead, so as not to attract predators.
Their scent forms an important part of communication.
