Interesting facts about wildebeests
Interesting facts about wildebeests : One misunderstanding about wildebeest is that, despite their resemblance to buffalo, they are not the same species. The wildebeest is one of the most well-known African migratory animals. It is a grass-eating animal that is found throughout Africa. They are well known for their large herds in addition to their migratory habits. Let’s look at 10 amazing facts about wildebeests.
- Wildebeest Live: From Kenya to the Tip of South Africa
The ideal environment for wildebeests is one that is neither too wet nor too dry. Wildebeests, especially the blue ones, prefer a temperate environment, which is why they live in dense bushland, wide-open grasslands, and woodland floodplains from Kenya-Tanzania to South Africa. Although black wildebeest can live anywhere, they prefer the South African Highveld.
- Wildebeest Only Eat grass.
Because they are solely grazers, wildebeest only consume sweet, dense grasses. These animals frequently locate this food source in regions that have recently experienced fires. Fresh vegetation begins to sprout once the tall, dense brush has burned. The grasses are a firm favorite because they are sweet and nourishing. Wildebeest will follow other herds of grazers and consume longer, drier grasses if they are unable to locate this food source. In the absence of grass, wildebeest will eat karoo bushes and succulent plants. Typically, wildebeests graze from dawn until noon and again in the cooler hours of the late afternoon until dusk.
- They are quite territorial.
With their young, female wildebeest form small herds, but their grazing grounds frequently cross paths. As a result, cows (the females) frequently move between small herds. Male young leave their mother and join a bachelor herd when they are one year old. The males leave the bachelor herd after four or five years because they become very territorial. Bulls, or males, will challenge one another through a variety of rituals. Bucking, snorting, pawing at the ground, fighting, and grunting are a few examples. Wildebeest often engage in head-to-head combat by crouching on their front knees, placing their foreheads on the ground, and then striking each other with their horns and heads.
- Wildebeest Migrate annually.
The wildebeest in the Serengeti-Mara migrate once a year in a 500–1,000-mile circle. After their calves are born in January and February, the migration starts in the southeast Serengeti. After that, they move through short-grass plains until they arrive at Lake Victoria. Once there, they make their way through wide-open forests until they arrive at the Mara in the north. The wildebeests will eventually head south to their natural habitat. Many of these animals wander off from the herd, suffer injuries, or even pass away during their protracted journey because they swim across vast bodies of water and cross plains in great numbers.
- Wildebeests Live In Large Herds for protection.
Predators like lions, leopards, and spotted hyenas are drawn to wildebeests. These animals are difficult to camouflage because of their distinctive colors and large sizes. They gather in large herds, which provide protection as a result. Wildebeest will congregate, stomp the ground, and make loud calls when a predator approaches so that the rest of the herd is aware of the danger.
- Wildebeest Become More Aggressive during the Mating season.
Although territorial males can mate at any time, the breeding season starts with the full moon. Around 150 wildebeests form breeding clusters under the control of the herd. Five or six dominant bulls will establish territories and protect the females within these groups. The bulls defecate, urinate, and spread secretions by rubbing their heads against things or other bulls to mark their territory. A bull will attempt to mount a cow if it is greeted by one. They will mate twice every minute if the cow lets the bull mount her. Additionally, if there are cows nearby, bulls won’t be able to rest or eat because of excitement.
- Cows (Female wildebeest) Give Birth in the Herd’s Center
In the middle of the herd, cows give birth to one calf at a time. Instead of doing this for privacy, they do it for safety. Within a herd, the majority of the pregnant cows give birth in two to three weeks. At this stage, there are helpless little calves everywhere, but safety comes in numbers. The mother will begin licking the newborn calf until it is clean as soon as it is born. After the first feeding, the calf will imprint on the mother. After two months, a calf’s color changes from yellow to brown. After approximately four months of nursing from their mother, calves begin to eat grass at ten days old.
- Bulls’ Horns Are Twice the Size of Cows’ horns.
Cow horns range in height from 12 to 16 inches, while a bull’s horn is about 33 inches high. As a wildebeest ages, the base of its horns becomes rougher, and its horns curl away from its head. The blue wildebeest can reach a height of 4.5 feet and a weight of about 600 pounds. The white-tailed gnu, also known as the black wildebeest, has a height of 3.93 feet and a weight of roughly 452 pounds.
- Wildebeest are Playful and Intelligent animals.
One of the most courageous animals in Africa is the wildebeest. They never remain in one place for too long because they are constantly moving. Wildebeest enjoy grazing at any time of day or night. While some of them keep watch for potential predators, they also enjoy taking naps.
- There are Two Species of wildebeest.
These magnificent creatures come in two varieties: the rarer black wildebeest and the more widespread blue wildebeest. The black wildebeest, also called the white-tailed gnu, has a long, white tail that resembles a horse. Additionally, it has a long coat that ranges in color from dark brown to black, which is found under its belly and forelegs.
The white-bearded wildebeest is another name for the blue wildebeest. It is also known as the brindled gnu and is regarded as a sizable antelope. The blue wildebeest has a distinctive muzzle, broad shoulders, and a muscular chest.
