Mammals · Artiodactyla · Bovidae

Black Wildebeest

Connochaetes gnou

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

It came to the brink of extinction in the late 19th century through indiscriminate hunting, surviving only because a handful of South African farmers protected small herds on their own land.

Weight

110 kg – 180 kg

Size

1.1 m – 1.2 m

Lifespan

18 years

Diet

Herbivore

Feeds mainly on plants.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Social structure

Herd

Lives in large groups as a strategy against predators.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

Estimated population

More than 18,000 animals, nearly all of them on reserves and farms in South Africa, after coming close to extinction in the late nineteenth century.

GrasslandHerbivore Diurnal In herds Grassland Mammal

5countries 6parks86same family

Fun facts

It came to the brink of extinction in the late 19th century through indiscriminate hunting.
It survived thanks to South African farmers who protected herds on private land.
Its striking long white tail is practically identical to a horse's.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (mammal)
Habitat & environment: Open highveld grassland and the Karoo region of southern Africa
Birth weight: 11 kg
Size at birth: Precocial, able to stand 15 minutes after birth and follow its mother soon afterwards
Sexual maturity: Female: 1.5-2.5 years | Male: 3 years
Gestation / incubation: 259 days (~8.5 months)
Litter / clutch size: 1 young per birth
Lifespan in captivity: Documented record of up to 21.8-25 years in captivity

Sources consulted: AnAge (genomics.senescence.info); Dimensions.com; Animal Diversity Web; About Animals; African Hunting Gazette; Animalia.bio; Grokipedia; Website of Everything