# Common Wildebeest

*Connochaetes taurinus*

Wildebeest calves can stand and run alongside their mothers within just ten minutes of being born.

- **Taxonomy:** Animalia › Chordata › Mammalia › Artiodactyla › Bovidae › Connochaetes
- **IUCN Red List status:** Least Concern
- **Population trend:** stable
- **Biome:** grassland
- **Habitat:** Grassy plains, open savannahs, and acacia woodlands.
- **Diet:** Herbivorous, specializing in fresh, short green grasses.
- **Range:** Serengeti National Park (Tanzania), Masai Mara National Reserve (Kenya), Kruger National Park (South Africa)
- **Size:** 115-145 cm shoulder height, weighing 140-290 kg.
- **Lifespan:** 15-20 years
- **Active:** diurnal
- **Threats:** Habitat fragmentation, fencing blocking migration routes, water diversion, and illegal poaching.
- **Safe to approach?:** Wildebeests are generally defensive and will flee, but can become dangerous if cornered, during the mating rut, or when protecting calves. Maintain a safe distance of at least 50 meters, preferably from inside a safari vehicle. Never attempt to approach them on foot. In the rare event of a charge or injury, seek immediate medical attention.

## About

The blue wildebeest ( Connochaetes taurinus ), also called the common wildebeest , white-bearded wildebeest or brindled gnu , is a large antelope and one of the two species of wildebeest. It is placed in the genus Connochaetes and family Bovidae and has a close taxonomic relationship with the black wildebeest. The blue wildebeest is known to have five subspecies. This broad-shouldered antelope has a muscular, front-heavy appearance, with a distinctive robust muzzle. Young blue wildebeest are born tawny brown,...

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/cd24b3ae-7cca-4063-a074-74e57e7e2982
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/42280
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connochaetes taurinus
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/143660497/medium.jpg (no rights reserved, CC0, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.