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Hoofed mammals
Blue wildebeest
Blue wildebeest · Connochaetes taurinus
Blue wildebeest shape the open African savannas with their huge herds and characteristic migration across the grasslands.
Fact file
- Size
- Up to 250 kg in weight, shoulder height up to 1.50 m, stocky body with a powerful head
- Males and females
- Both sexes have horns, bulls are larger and more heavily built than cows
- Sounds
- Deep snorting and grunting, especially within the herd
- Diet
- Feeds mainly on short grass, occasionally also on herbs and leaves
- Offspring
- One calf per year after a gestation period of around eight months, calves are usually born at the start of the rainy season
How to identify Blue wildebeest
The blue wildebeest has a dark grey to blue-grey coat with distinctive vertical dark stripes on the neck and shoulders. The mane is black and bristly, and the beard on the chin is often black and clearly visible. Young animals are initially lighter in colour and show less pronounced stripes.
Both male and female blue wildebeest have curved horns with a sturdy base that jut out to the sides before turning upwards and inwards. Their build is stocky, with powerful shoulders, a slender hindquarters and a shoulder height of up to 1.50 metres. The long black tail resembles that of a horse.
More in the app
With Wildful Stories+ you also get in the app:
- general viewing tips
- 46 places where you can see Blue wildebeest
Where Blue wildebeest live
Namibia
South Africa
Discover Blue wildebeest on your trip.
The app shows you where and when to see wildlife along your route.
