Habits
Although it looks frightening, the horned wildebeest is neither aggressive nor paticularly dangerous. When approached, it will stab the ground with its horns, stamp its hooves and thrash its tail menacingly. It may even lower its head and pretend to charge. But if this display fails to stop the intruder, the wildebeest will retreat and then repeat its preformance from a safe distance. Territorial battles between males involve a simalar confrontation. Trespassers are first threatened with lowed bellowing calls. If this warning is ignored, the pair meets in a head-to-head trial of strength. Horns may lock, but the fights are rarely bloody. The wildebeest's usual response to danger is flight. Wildebeest live in herds of up to 100 animals. If a herd member spots danger, such as a pride of lions our hunting, it sounds a warning and the whole herd flees.
Food and Feeding
The wildebeest lives in fertile plains and open woodland, where it grazes on short sweet grass. A taste for this type of grass often leads the wildebeest to recently burned areas, where the fire has cleared the tall, dry scrub, allowing shorter grass to grow. The wildebeest may also follow behind other grazing animals that eat the taller, coarser vegitation. It also eats succulent plants and browses on karroo bushes. It begins grazing soon after sunrise, rests briefly at midday, and continues feeding until sunset. Although wildebeest are known for their seasonal migration, not all wildebeest migrate. If there is a constant supply of fresh green grass, they remain in the same area all year. Only when there is severe seasonal drought does the wildebeest migrate in search of food. Herds of over 1,000 animals may then thunder over the plains, raising dark clouds of dust visible for many miles. Hundereds die on these journeys. Many drown as they try to cross fast-flowing rivers.
Wildebeest and Man
The wildebeest is hunted for its skin, which makes a durable leather, and its tail, which is used to make fly swatters called chowries. Some hunters also shoot wildebeest for sport. During the 19th century the Boer farmers killed black wildebeest to provide meat for their workers and turned the hides into bags, belts, and other accessories. The massacre continued until 1870, when only 600 the animals remained. The species was saved by two Boer landowners, who kept breeding herds on ther lands, thus enabling the population to recover. Because the wildebeest has the same diet as domestic cattle, it is seen as competition for grazing land in some areas.
Did you know?
Only one in every six calves survives it's first year.
Both males and females have horns, although the male's horns are thicker and heavier than the female's.
The largest known wildebeest horns measure 33 inches across.
To groom itself, the wildebeest rubs its face either on the ground or against a tree or partner.
Distribution
Blue wildebeest are found from Kenya to northern South Africa. Black wildebeest are only found in South Africa.
Size
Height: At shoulder, 3-4.5 feet.
Length: Head and body, 5-8 feet. Tail, 14-22 inches.
Weight: Males, 400-600 lbs. Females, 300-360 lbs.
Lifestyle
Habit: Lives in herds; often migratory; active by day.
Lifespan: 21 years in captivity.
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