Blue wildebeest

Connochaetes taurinus · The blue wildebeest is a large antelope that lives on the short-grass plains and savannas of southern and eastern Africa.

Also called Common wildebeest, White-bearded gnu, Brindled gnu, White-bearded Wildebeest, Brindled wildebeest.

Blue wildebeest
Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0
Blue wildebeest
Photo: © Giles Laurent, gileslaurent.com, License CC BY-SA, CC BY-SA 4.0
Blue wildebeest
Photo: © Giles Laurent, gileslaurent.com, License CC BY-SA, CC BY-SA 4.0

Taxonomy

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassMammalia
OrderArtiodactyla
FamilyBovidae
GenusConnochaetes
SpeciesConnochaetes taurinus

Where it lives

Short-grass plains of East and southern Africa, including the Serengeti.

Fun facts

  • Blue wildebeest calves can usually stand on their own within a few minutes of being born.
  • Wildebeest can run at speeds of up to 80 km/h (50 mph).
  • Mothers give birth in the middle of the herd, usually around midday, so newborns can steady their legs before predators get active at night.
  • The mating season usually begins on the night of a full moon, which suggests the lunar cycle influences breeding.

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Facts and taxonomy adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).