Blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus)
Blue wildebeest are the commonly seen grazing antelopes that live in huge herds on the plains of Africa and undertake spectacular migrations. Newborn wildebeest can stand as soon as three minutes after birth, and soon after can follow their mothers.
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Placental mammals
Mating on the move
Wild Africa
With the migration in full swing, attracting a mate takes some doing.
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About the Blue wildebeest
The Blue Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) is a large ungulate mammal of the Bovid family and one of two species of wildebeest. It grows to 1.7 m shoulder height and attains a body mass of up to 380 kg. They range the open plains, bushveld and dry woodlands of Southern and East Africa, realizing a life span in excess of twenty years. This herbivore is a grazing animal that is often sighted in open grasslands or clearings in a savanna. The male is highly territorial using scent markings and other devices to protect his domain. The largest population is in the Serengeti, numbering over one million animals.
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The wildlife of Life
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Scientific Classification
Order: Even-toed ungulate (Artiodactyla)
Genus: Connochaetes
Species: Blue Wildebeest (taurinus)
Common Names
- Brindled gnu
- White-bearded wildebeest
Where can I see them?
This region contains the following habitats:
Species range provided by WWF's Wildfinder
Conservation Status
The Blue wildebeest is Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
- EX - Extinct
- EW
- CR - Threatened
- EN - Threatened
- VU - Threatened
- NT
- LC - Least concern
Population trend: Stable
Year assessed: 2008
Elsewhere on the web
- Blue wildebeest - Connochaetes taurinus (arkive.org)
- Connochaetes taurinus (animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu)
- IUCN Red List information (iucnredlist.org)
- PBS Nature's Animal Guide (pbs.org)
- Ultimate Ungulate fact file (ultimateungulate.com)
- Blue Wildebeest (wikipedia.org)
Site links
BBC links
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