Wildebeest Facts & Worksheets

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Wildebeest are members of the antelope family and are only found in the southern, northern, and eastern regions of Africa. There are two species of wildebeest: the black wildebeest or white-tailed gnu (C. gnou), and the blue wildebeest or brindled gnu (C. taurinus).

See the fact file below for more information on the Wildebeest, or you can download our 30-page Wildebeest worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

BRIEF BACKGROUND

• Wildebeest are large African antelopes found in African regions. Its name derives from the African word “wild beast” because of its appearance and brutal nature. 
• Wildebeest has two species; the blue (Connochaetes taurinus), with five subspecies: albojubatus, cooksoni, johnstoni, mearnsi, and taurinus, and black (C. gnou) wildebeest.
• On their way to the interior of South Africa, Dutch settlers discovered wildebeest around 1700. They called them “wild ox” or “wildebeest” because they resembled wild cattle. 
• Wildebeest is a Dutch word that means “wild beast” or “wild cattle” in Afrikaans (bees “cattle”). Connochaetes is derived from the Ancient Greek words, kónnos, which means “beard,” and  khaítē, “flowing hair” and “mane.” 

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Wildebeest are the largest antelope species.
• They have an unusual and unproportioned appearance, with a cow’s head, a horse’s body and tail, and a gazelle’s legs.
• Wildebeest have dark brown stripes that run down their shoulders vertically and a long thick black mane. The long beard on its neck, which can be pale or dark, is its most distinguishing feature.
• Wildebeest can weigh up to 600 pounds, grow to a length of 8 feet, and stand 4.5 feet tall at the shoulders. 
• Both males and females possess long horns that spring outward from the base of the head and curve into semi-circles that point slightly backward. A male’s horns measure 33 inches, and a female’s range in length from 12 to 16 inches. As they age, the base of their horns becomes rougher.
• All wildebeest have short hair that covers their bodies and black vertical stripes of longer hair on their back.

SPECIES

• The two wildebeest species: the black and blue wildebeest, are distinguished by their horns, size, color, and habitat.

Blue Wildebeest

• They are dark gray, with black tails and beards. 
• It is the larger of the two species. Male blue wildebeest stand 150 cm tall on the shoulder and weigh around 250 kg, whereas female blue wildebeest stand 135 cm tall and weigh 180 kg.
• Its horns protrude to the sides, then curve downwards before curving up again in the direction of the skull. These are typically dark gray with stripes, but they can have a bluish sheen.
• It inhabits woodlands, open grasslands, and desert areas and can be found in various South African reserves. 

Black Wildebeest

• It has brown hair and a mane that varies in color from cream to black, as well as a cream-colored tail.
• Males stand 111 to 120 cm tall and weigh around 180 kg, while females stand 108 cm tall and weigh 155 kg.
• The horns curve ahead, then downward, before turning upwards on the tips.
• It prefers to live in open grassland areas.

BEHAVIOR

• Wildebeest are social, territorial creatures. They are fiercely protective of their domain. It is not uncommon for 270 of them to live in one square kilometer area.
• Wildebeest are herbivores that eat only vegetation. They prefer grass, but if the grass is unavailable, they will eat leaves. They eat succulent plants and browse on karoo bushes in addition to grasses. They begin grazing after sunrise, take a brief break at midday, and feed until sunset. 
• Herds (wildebeest groups) are constantly looking for food and are active all day. Wildebeests sleep at night or when the air temperature is high. 
• They communicate primarily through sight and smell but can be extremely loud. Male wildebeest can bellow so loudly that the sound can travel up to 2 kilometers.

PREDATORS

• Larger carnivores, such as African wild dogs, lions, hyenas, and leopards, prey on wildebeest the most. Typically, predators attempt to isolate a young or sick wildebeest and attack regardless of the herd. 
• To defend themselves, a herd of wildebeest will gather and begin stomping the ground. They also make loud calls to alert the herd that they are in danger.  Nonetheless, wildebeest are very robust and might inflict harm even on a lion. 

HABITAT AND MIGRATION

• Wildebeest live in woodlands and grassy plains, such as in Savannah, Africa. These herbivores thrive in Savannah grasslands because of the moisture in the soil, where the grass grows quickly, which is ideal for finding plenty of grass to eat while grazing.
• Although wildebeest typically live in herds, they have been observed cohabiting contentedly with zebras on the plains. There is no competition as Zebras prefer taller grass, while wildebeests prefer shorter grass. 
• In search of food, some wildebeest migrate dependent on the weather. The timing of their migrations during the wet and dry seasons can vary significantly from year to year. They migrate to dry-season areas at the end of the wet season (May or June in East Africa) in response to a scarcity of floor water. 
• According to “National Geographic,” approximately 1.2 million wildebeest are among the hundreds of different animals, including zebras and gazelles, on the world’s largest terrestrial migration. This phenomenon, known as the Great Migration, lasts months and involves antelope avoiding predators.

REPRODUCTION

• Every year, up to 500,000 wildebeest are born between February and March. In 2018, there were approximately 1,550,000 wildebeest in Africa.
• The blue wildebeest is the most abundant among the hoofed animals on the African continent. It is a notable feature of Tanzania‘s Serengeti National Park, Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve, and Zambia’s Liuwa Plain National Park.
• Wildebeest are ready to mate when they are three or four years old. Male wildebeest establish temporary territories by marking them with urine or feces to attract females. If a male attempts to enter their environment, he will defend it. If a female comes in, he will try to mate with her. 
• Wildebeests typically breed at the end of the rainy season, when the animals are well-fed and at their peak health. This naturally occurs between May and July, with births occurring between January and March at the start of the wet season. 
• Female wildebeest are pregnant for 8 1/2 months. A newborn wildebeest is called a wildebeest calf. The calves weigh about 21 kg (46 lb) at birth and only take a few minutes to stand up and run. This is a form of defense against predators.
• A baby wildebeest receives milk from its mother for the first six months and starts eating grass when it’s ten days old. Male wildebeest can leave their mothers when they are one year old to seek out other wildebeest to form or join a herd. 

THREATS AND CONSERVATION

• The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified the species of wildebeest as the least concern on the Red List. The black wildebeest population is increasing, whereas the blue wildebeest is stable.
• However, as agriculture and civilization expand and water sources decline in some areas, the lives of the world’s wildebeest are increasingly jeopardized. 
• The fragmentation of wildebeest habitats is a threat to their survival. Thus a fence suddenly obstructs their grazing grass. One example of the effects of fence-building: Botswana authorities built hundreds of kilometers of fencing throughout the Kalahari, which prevents wildebeest from reaching watering holes and grazing grounds. As a result, the wildebeest population has reduced to less than 10% of its previous size.
• Wildebeest are notorious for destroying crops that they come across. They also compete with livestock for their survival. Farmers frequently kill them and erect fencing to prevent more from entering their lands. 
• Illegal hunting, along with natural threats posed by main predators, is a potential conservation concern in many areas. 
• As the black and blue wildebeest share a common range, the two can hybridize, posing a threat to the black wildebeest.

OTHER INTERESTING FACTS

• Did you know that wildebeest are motivated by hunger which is why they are constantly on the move? They continuously look for water, which they drink twice daily, and grass. 
• As wildebeest herds are territorial creatures with their territory, the familiar environment is nearly 1 square mile.
• Wildebeest herds have “swarm intelligence,” meaning they will systematically explore and overcome an obstacle as a group congregating in large, intimidating herds.
• Wildebeests have an average lifespan of 20 years. The oldest wildebeest recorded age is 40 years.
• Every year, wildebeest can travel over 1,000 miles at speeds of up to 38 miles per hour.
• Wildebeest play an important role in a complex web of survival that includes plants, animals, predators, and prey. Their dung acts as fertilizer for the vast areas through which they migrate. They are also an important source of food for carnivores, such as lions and hyenas. 
• Wildebeest is eaten in some parts of Africa. Their meat is cured in an air-dried form called biltong. Around 2008, the estimated price for wildebeest meat was around US$0.47 per kilogram. 
• Wildebeest offer a variety of animal products. The hide makes good leather, and the flesh is coarse, dry, and rather tough. 
• Wildebeest appear in several films and television shows, including Khumba (“Mama V”), “All Hail King Julien” (Vigman Wildebeest), Phineas and Ferb (“Newton the Gnu”), “The Great Space Coaster” (newscaster Gary Gnu), and “The Lion King” (the wildebeest stampede that killed Mufasa).

Wildebeest Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Wildebeest across 30 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Wildebeest, which are large antelopes found in African regions whose name derives from the African word “wild beast” because of its appearance and brutal nature.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

• Zinc Facts
• Name the Compound 
• Zn in Periodic Table 
• True or False
• Zinc in Your Mind
• Let the Drawing Zinc In
• Fight the Deficiency 
• Elaborate the Ideas
• Concentration 
• Draw the Source 
• Zinc In 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a wildebeest?

A wildebeest, also known as a gnu, is a large mammal found in Africa. They are part of the Bovidae family, which also includes cattle, buffalo, and antelopes.

What does a wildebeest look like?

Wildebeests are large, robust animals with a long face, a mane of hair running down their back, and a tail with a tuft of hair at the end. They have a dark brown or black coat and long, curved horns.

What do wildebeests eat?

Wildebeests are herbivores and primarily eat grass. They also eat leaves, fruits, and flowers when available.

What is the wildebeest migration?

The wildebeest migration is an annual event in which millions of wildebeest, along with zebras and gazelles, travel across the Serengeti and Masai Mara in search of food and water. The migration usually takes place between June and September.

Are wildebeests endangered?

No, wildebeests are not currently considered endangered. Their populations are considered stable and they have a wide range throughout Africa. However, habitat loss and poaching do pose a threat to wildebeest populations in some areas.

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Link will appear as Wildebeest Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, January 25, 2023