Wildebeest

These majestic animals cross vast distances in huge numbers when migrating to find food and water.

With its front-heavy profile, dark colouration and cow-like horns, the safari first-timer can be forgiven for confusing it with the much larger buffalo. However, the wildebeest is an antelope; belongs in the Alcelaphinae subfamily, with the likes of hartebeest, topi and blesbok.

COMMON NAME: Wildebeest

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Connochaetes taurinus

TYPE: Mammals

DIET: Herbivore

GROUP NAME: Herd

AVERAGE LIFE SPAN IN THE WILD: 20 years

SIZE: Up to 4.5 feet

WEIGHT: 330 to 550 pounds

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Interesting Facts

Wildebeest got name as their coat has a blue sheen.
There are around 1.5 million living in the Serengeti alone! They are widespread in many areas of Africa.
Their main defence from predators is living in a group. Wildebeest stick together and move in herds to be more safe.
They can run up to 40 mph, which is pretty fast! Although, unfortunately for them, not as fast as lions or cheetahs.
They migrate as many as 1000 miles each year – that’s longer than the length of Britain and around the same distance from Minnesota to Louisiana. That distance would take around 20 hours to drive.
They have a dangerous migratory route, during their migration they cross two rivers – both of which are crocodile infested.

Thank you to Onekindplanet for the amazing informative content.