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.

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References and further reading

An Introduction to the Larger Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Joanna Dalton - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 212

Chris and Tilde Stuart's Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - 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

Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Year Published: 1997 - Page: 160

Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Year Published: 2001 - Page: 202

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

Questions and Answers - Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Year Published: 1990 - Page: 26

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 - 3rd Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Year Published: 1986 - Page: 189

Signs of the Wild - 5th Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Year Published: 1996 - Page: 174

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 232

List of South African Mammals