Black Wildebeest

Afrikaans name: Swartwildebees

Black Wildebeest

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Connochaetes gnou

Interesting facts about Black Wildebeest

The Black Wildebeest has a distinctive blonde tail and is sometimes referred to as the White-tailed Gnu or Wildebeest.

Apart from the tail there are a number of differences between the Black and the Blue Wildebeest. The horns are different and the Black Wildebeest has clumps of shaggy hair. They are also found in different habitats.

Males grow to a height of around 1.2 metres at the shoulder and weigh around 150 kg. Females are smaller.

Black Wildebeest have an unusual social structure. They may be found in herds of females, territorial males, or bachelor herds.

The Black Wildebeest population was nearly wiped out by hunting. In the early 1900's the population was only around 600. Today there are nearly 20,000.

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 232

Wild Ways - 2nd Edition - Author: Peter Apps - Published: 2000 - Page: 145

What Antelope is That? - Author: Paul Rose - Published: 1967 - Page: 51

Wild Issue 47 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 48

Tracks and Tracking in Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2000 - Page: 134

The Mammal Guide of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 2011 - Page: 80

The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa - Author: P. Briggs - Published: 2020 - Page: 331

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 50

Signs of the Wild - 5th Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1996 - Page: 174

South African Animals in the Wild - Author: Anthony Bannister - Published: 1985 - Page: 31

Signs of the Wild - 3rd Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1986 - Page: 189

Questions and Answers - Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 26

Questions and Answers - Endangered Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: John Comrie-Greig - Published: 1992 - Page: 30

Mammals of the Kruger and other National Parks - Author: The National Parks Board - Published: 1980 - Page: 134

Pollinators, Predators and Parasites - Author: C. Scholtz, J. Scholtz, H. De Klerk - Published: 2021 - Page: 193

Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 1987 - Page: 85

Land Mammals of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Reay HN Smithers - Published: 1986 - Page: 154

Maberlys Mammals of Southern Africa - Revised edition - Author: Richard Goss - Published: 1986 - Page: 230

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 414

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 112

Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2001 - Page: 202

Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1997 - Page: 160

Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Published: 2004 - Page: 162

An Introduction to the Larger Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Joanna Dalton - Published: 1987 - Page: 212

Chris and Tilde Stuarts Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 1st Edit - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1988 - Page: 202

A Field Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Southern and East African Wildlife - 3rd - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2000 - Page: 80

A Field Guide to the Mammals of Africa including Madagascar - Author: Theodor Haltenorth and Helmut Diller - Published: 1980 - Page: 86

SANBI

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List of South African Mammals