Blue Wildebeest - Mala Mala , Kruger Park Surrounds, South Africa
Copyright: South African Tourism - Photo by ©Richard Du Toit

Blue wildebeests wear dark stripes on the throat and on the sides. They live allover in the open savannah of southern Africa.
They are social creatures and live in groups of 20 to 40 animals, sometimes in larger herds, the members of which are
usually cows and calves, led by a bull. And there are herds consisting exclusively of bachelor bulls.
http://www.southafrica-travel.net/Tiere/e_gnus.htm

Blue Wildebeest
: Northern Cape Province, South Africa
Copyright: South African Tourism -Photo by: ©Hein Von Hörsten


Blue Wildebeest at waterhole, KwaZulu-Natal
Copyright: South African Tourism

Like Connochaetes taurinus, wild Connochaetes gnou were migratory in large herds. Black wildebeest were never
studied in their natural habitat, interacting with natural predators, however they seem to be more aggressive than their wild
cousins, and have attacked and killed keepers while in captivity. The largest existing herd numbers 330 head at Willem
Pretorius Game Reserve, Orange Free State. Herd size increases with forage density, female herds ranging from 14 to 32
and maintain a social dominance hierarchy. Unlike common wildebeest, black wildebeest do not groom each other or
rub their foreheads on other wildebeest's croups because of the projection of their horns. However, they occasionally
rub their cheeks on companions' necks.

Calves stay with their mothers until the next calf is born. These yearlings are driven out by the adult males.
During this process, calves are often separated from their mothers, resulting in what may be the main cause of captive calf
mortality. The yearlings form peaceful bachelor herds that may be tolerated by female groups late in the dry season.
(Estes, 1991; Huffman, 2004; Walker, 1968)

Originally, black wildebeest, or white-tailed gnus, ranged the highveld temperate grasslands during the dry winter and the
arid karroo during the rains. However, due to hide-hunting in the 19th century, they were reduced to living on protected
game farms in southern Africa
Source: Lundrigan, B. and J. Bidlingmeyer. 2000. "Connochaetes gnou" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web.
Accessed January 28, 2012 http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Connochaetes_gnou.html.


Black Wildebeest - Natal Midlands
Copyright: South African Tourism, Photo by ©Philip van den Berg

Black wildebeest are dark brown to black in color, males being darker in color than females. Both sexes become lighter in
coat color in the summer, and develop shaggier coats in the winter. Like common wildebeest, Connochaetes gnou possesses
a bushy beard and mane. However, Connochaetes gnou has a mane that stands up from its neck, rather than draping across
the neck, like that of Connochaetes taurinus. This bristly mane is cream to white in color and black at the tips. The beard is
black in color and stretches only along the lower jaw, not the length of the neck, as in Connochaetes taurinus.
Additionally, black wildebeest have an area of longer, dark hair between the forelegs, covering the chest, and another patch
of bristly black hair along the bridge of the nose.
Source: Lundrigan, B. and J. Bidlingmeyer. 2000. "Connochaetes gnou" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web.
Accessed January 28, 2012 http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Connochaetes_gnou.html.


Black Wildebeest, At Lindbergh Lodge, North West Province:
Copyright: South African Tourism, Photo by ©Jon Hrusa

Male C. gnou stand 111 to 121 cm high and can be up to 2m in length, females are slightly smaller. Paired horns curve down,
forward, and then up, like hooks, and are up to 78 cm in length (slightly thinner and shorter in females).
The base of the horns is widened and flattened to form a protective shield. These differ from Connochaetes taurinus in
that they project anteriorly, rather than laterally. Scent glands are present preorbitally, under the hair tuft, and on the forefeet..
Source: Lundrigan, B. and J. Bidlingmeyer. 2000. "Connochaetes gnou" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web.
Accessed January 28, 2012 http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Connochaetes_gnou.html.