
Blue Wildebeest
Afrikaans name: Blouwildebees

Blue Wildebeest
Photo © Steven Herbert
Connochaetes taurinus
Interesting facts about Blue Wildebeest
The Blue Wildebeest is also sometimes referred to as the Blue Gnu, Brindled Gnu or Common Wildebeest
Blue Wildebeest can live for 20 years or more. Males are larger than females and have bigger horns.
They are widespread across north and eastern South Africa and are a common site in most game parks.
They can be up to 145 cm tall at the shoulder and may weigh up to 250 kg.
Their preferred habitat is open savanna and bush veld. It shouldn't be too dry or too wet. There must be water available within walking distance. Blue Wildebeest enjoy taking a mud bath.
A variety of predators hunt Blue Wildebeest including Lions, Spotted Hyenas and Nile Crocodiles. Youngsters may also be hunted by Cheetahs, Leopards and Wild Dogs.
They may often be found in the company of Burchell's Zebras. Zebras eat the longer grass allowing the Wildebeest to get to the shorter grass which they prefer.
Females are able to breed at 3 years old. The calf is born after a 8.5 month gestation period. Within two hours the new born calf can run fast enough to keep up with the herd.

Photo © Steven Herbert

Photo © Steven Herbert
Above and below - Blue Wildebeest aren't just cute when they grow up - they start off pretty cute as well!
Photo © Steven Herbert

Photo © Steven Herbert
Above and below - Selection of Blue Wildebeest portraits
Photo © Steven Herbert
Below - Kicking up the dust
Photo © JohanSwanepoel - Fotolia.com

Photo © Steven Herbert
Above and below - An adult female Blue Wildebeest is shown above and a juvenile is shown below.
Photo © Steven Herbert
References and further reading
Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 232Wild Ways - 2nd Edition - Author: Peter Apps - Published: 2000 - Page: 146
What Antelope is That? - Author: Paul Rose - Published: 1967 - Page: 48
Wild Issue 47 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 48
The Natal Bushveld - Volume 2 - Author: Natal Parks Board - Published: 1981 - Page: 33
The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa - Author: P. Briggs - Published: 2020 - Page: 330
Tracks and Tracking in Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2000 - Page: 135
The Mammal Guide of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 2011 - Page: 82
The Living Deserts of Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Darry Lovegrove - Published: 2021 - Page: 183
Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 50
The Living Deserts of Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Darry Lovegrove - Published: 2021 - Page: 111
Signs of the Wild - 5th Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1996 - Page: 172
South African Animals in the Wild - Author: Anthony Bannister - Published: 1985 - Page: 31
Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 65
Signs of the Wild - 3rd Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1986 - Page: 187
Questions and Answers - Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 23
Questions and Answers - Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 19
Pollinators, Predators and Parasites - Author: C. Scholtz, J. Scholtz, H. De Klerk - Published: 2021 - Page: 265
Mammals of the Kruger and other National Parks - Author: The National Parks Board - Published: 1980 - Page: 132
Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 1987 - Page: 87
Maberlys Mammals of Southern Africa - Revised edition - Author: Richard Goss - Published: 1986 - Page: 233
Land Mammals of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Reay HN Smithers - Published: 1986 - Page: 156
Kruger National Park, Visitors Map 1996 - Author: - Published: 1996 - Page: 4
Kruger National Park Questions and Answers - Author: P.F. Fourie - Published: 1987 - Page: 137
Game Ranger in your Backpack - Author: Megan Emmett and Sean Pattrick - Published: 2013 - Page: 54
Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 414
First Field Guide to Animal Tracks of Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2003 - Page: 53
Field Guide to the Mammals of the Kruger National Park - Author: U. de V. Pienaar et al. - Published: 1987 - Page: 114
Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2001 - Page: 204
Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1997 - Page: 158
Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Published: 2004 - Page: 162
Chris and Tilde Stuarts Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 1st Edit - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1988 - Page: 204
An Introduction to the Larger Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Joanna Dalton - Published: 1987 - Page: 213
Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 20
A Field Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Southern and East African Wildlife - 3rd - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2000 - Page: 79
African Wildlife - A photographic safari - Author: Nigel and Wendy Dennis - Published: 1999 - Page: 46
A Field Guide to the Mammals of Africa including Madagascar - Author: Theodor Haltenorth and Helmut Diller - Published: 1980 - Page: 84
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