Facts about Wildebeest aka the GNU

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Did you Know? List of Facts about Wildebeest
Facts are statements which are held to be true and often contrasted with opinions and beliefs. Our unusual and interesting facts about Wildebeest, trivia and information, including some useful statistics about animals will fascinate everyone from kids and children to adults.

Interesting Facts about Wildebeest are as follows:

  • Fact 1 - Definition: The Wildebeest is also called the Gnu. The wildebeest (Gnu) is a large African gray antelope having a head with horns like an ox and a long tufted tail. One of two species of large South African antelopes of the genus Connochaetes having a dark mane and bushy tail, and curved horns in both sexes

  • Fact 2 - The wildebeest belongs to the family Bovidae. The wildebeest has a large head, a robust muzzle and impressive horns that grow upwards and curve inwards
  • Fact 3 - The horns and shaggy mane led to the the Afrikaans name ‘wild beast’or ‘wildebeest’
  • Fact 4 - The wildebeest are closely related to cattle, antelopes and goats
  • Fact 5 - There are two species of wildebeest:
    • The Blue Wildebeest or the brindled gnu (C. taurinus)
    • The Black Wildebeest or the white tailed gnu (C. gnou)
  • Fact 6 - The wildebeest sleep in rows on the ground
  • Fact 7 - The wildebeest has many predators including Lions, hyenas and cheetahs
  • Fact 8 - Wildebeest stats and facts
    • Weight: 330 to 550 lbs (150 to 250 kg)
    • Height: 3 ft 9 inch to 4 ft 7 inch (1.1 m to 1.4 m)
    • Habitat: Grasslands of of Kenya and Tanzania in Africa
    • Lifespan: 20 years
    • Speed: Up to 80 km/hr)
    • Diet: Wildebeests are herbivores eating mainly tree leaves, grass, ferns, fruit and fungi
  • Fact 9 - 80% of calves (up to half a million) are born within a two to three week period at the start of the rainy season
  • Fact 10 - Males are known as bulls and females are known as cows
  • Fact 11 - Wildebeest are noisy creatures. Bulls have an array of loud vocalizations, from moans to explosive snorts
  • Fact 12 - Wildebeests live in densely packed herds
  • Fact 13 - Wildebeest calves can stand and run within 3-7 minutes after birth
  • Fact 14 - When danger is spotted, the wildebeest warn each using groaning calls and then run together creating a stampede
  • Fact 15 - A male’s horns can grow up to 32 inches in length
  • Fact 16 - The name “Blue Wildebeest” derives from a conspicuous silvery blue sheen
  • Fact 17 - Young Blue Wildebeest are born tawny brown

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