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Black Wildebeest
Afrikaans name: Swartwildebees
Black Wildebeest
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Connochaetes gnou
Interesting facts about Black Wildebeest
The Black Wildebeest has a distinctive blonde tail and is sometimes referred to as the White-tailed Gnu or Wildebeest.
Apart from the tail there are a number of differences between the Black and the Blue Wildebeest. The horns are different and the Black Wildebeest has clumps of shaggy hair. They are also found in different habitats.
Males grow to a height of around 1.2 metres at the shoulder and weigh around 150 kg. Females are smaller.
Black Wildebeest have an unusual social structure. They may be found in herds of females, territorial males, or bachelor herds.
The Black Wildebeest population was nearly wiped out by hunting. In the early 1900's the population was only around 600. Today there are nearly 20,000.
References and further reading
An Introduction to the Larger Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Joanna Dalton - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 212Chris and Tilde Stuart's Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Year Published: 1988 - Page: 202
Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Year Published: 2004 - Page: 162
Land Mammals of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Reay HN Smithers - Year Published: 1986 - Page: 154
Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Burger Cillier - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 85
Mammals of the Kruger and other National Parks - Author: The National Parks Board - Year Published: 1980 - Page: 134
Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southern Africa - 2nd edi - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 112
Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southern Africa - 2nd edi - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 414
Signs of the Wild - Author: Clive Walker - Year Published: 1986 - Page: 189