Scientific Name: connochaetes taurinus
Common Name: Blue wildebeest, Brindled Gnu, Blou wildebees, Gnu, Le Gnou blue, Streifengnu, Gaob, Omulu, Unyumbu
Description: The Blue Wildebeest, also known as the Brindled Gnu, is an awkward looking animal but is considered by most hunters as the toughest of the Antelope family.  They have large humped shoulders and hindquarters which slope downward.  Their deep necks contrast with their long slender legs.  When they are walking you get the impression that they are extremely weary, but their unusual build allows them to rapidly break into a run.  Dark vertical bands mark the neck and forequarters which from a distance look like wrinkles in the skin, hence the name Brindled.  Both sexes have horns, are dark gray in color and are generally similar in body size, which makes sex determination at a distance difficult.  They have a mane of long black hair along the back of the neck.  The chin has a distinct beard and there is a long black fringe along the throat.  The Wildebeest has long, narrow ears and from the top of the head to the nostrils they are black in color.  The tails are like that of a horse, are black in color and they nearly reach the ground in length. Both sexes posses horns which are very similar to those of a female Cape Buffalo in that they are slightly broadened at the bases and do not contain ridges.  They grow outward to the side from the boss and then they curve up and slightly inward.  A horn spread greater then the extended tops of the ears is considered a respectable trophy.  Horns of juveniles grow straight up and begin to grow sideways at about eight months of age.  The horns of females are not as thick nor wide as those of trophy bulls.
Difference in Sex: Female much smaller than male and the horns are thinner
Average Weight:  male- 230 - 270 kg and female 160 - 200 kg
Habitat: It would be hard to think about Africa without including the images of hundreds of migrating Wildebeest.  Wildebeest can be seen in almost every National Park and Reserve in Africa because they can adapt to almost any environment.  Their normal habitat is the open grassy plains and the lightly wooded open savanna.  Although during the rainy season they obtain a large portion of their water requirement through grazing, access to drinking water is essential. 
Habits: Wildebeest are herd animals, relying on each others good eyesight, hearing and sense of smell for their mutual benefit and protection.  Females and young are found in groups of 10 - 100 animals, while young males form small bachelor groups.  Mature males are generally solitary.  In areas where grazing conditions and water fluctuates to the extreme, Wildebeest are most active in the mornings and in the evenings.  During the hottest part of the day they will seek the shade of tress, where they will stand or lay down.  If no shade is available it is not uncommon to find them just standing facing into whatever wind there might be.  They may graze on moonlit nights, although normally they will be found lying down.  Wildebeest, despite their appearance, are very agile animals.  If they are spooked they will instantly take off on a run.  They usually don't run far before stopping to look back to assess the situation and then repeating these activities as needed.  They will then remain suspicious, watching their trail for long periods of time.  Inquisitive animals, they will stand looking at an intruder while snorting and blowing through their nostrils.  They will also run around in circles, prance about waving their tails and pawing at the ground.  Bulls are territorial, marking their territories with scent and creating rolling grounds.  Only males with a territory may mate.  Competition between males consist of displays, loud grunting calls and shoving with the horns.  Rarely are these fights serious.  The breeding season is between April and June.  During this time, males establish their territories and round up herds of cows and their young while they fend off rivals.  The female does not leave the herd to give birth.  90% of all calves are born within a 3 week period early in the rainy season.  Females give birth to a single calf that can stand 5 minutes after birth, is able to run within a couple of hours and can keep up with the herd in 2 days.  Although very playful the calves remain in a very close proximity to their mothers, as predators make this a dangerous time for them.  Young males are evicted from the herd at 2 years of age. 
Main feeding time: Duiral and moonlight nights.
Size: 150 cm at shoulder
Gestation: 8 ½ MONTHS
Number of young at birth:
Communication: Snort and bellow, young ones bleat
Age: 20 years
Diet: Wildebeest are exclusively short grass grazers, though they are not particular as to the type of these grasses.  The Wildebeest's mouth is shaped in such a way that it is able to harvest short green grass that is hard for other animals to feed on.  It is common to find Wildebeest with Impala and Zebra, as these animals feed on the upper, leafy shoots of grass while the Wildebeest feed on the shorter shoots.  They are particularly fond of burnt grassland as the charred areas regenerate quickly, producing fresh succulent shoots.
Enemies: Spotted hyaena, cheetah, leopard, lion, Cape hunting dog
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