Connochaetes

Connochaetes is a genus of African hoofed mammals in the family Bovidae, comprising two living species commonly known as wildebeests or gnus: the blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) and the black wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou). They are large, herbivorous ungulates adapted to open grasslands and savannas across southern and eastern Africa.

Blue wildebeest have a gray-blue coat with a lighter underbelly and a characteristic mane; black wildebeest have a darker, brownish-black coat. Both sexes bear horns that curve outward from the head and then downward and upward, with males typically having thicker horns. They are sturdy animals, standing about 1.0 to 1.4 meters at the shoulder and weighing roughly 100 to 350 kilograms depending on species.

Blue wildebeest are widespread throughout southern and eastern Africa, favoring open plains and woodlands where grasses are abundant. Black wildebeest range mainly in southern Africa, often in less arid regions. They undertake regular seasonal migrations in response to rainfall and grazing availability, with famous large-scale movements across the Serengeti ecosystem.

Wildebeests are gregarious and highly migratory, forming large herds that can number in the thousands. They are grazers that prefer short grasses and rely on a ruminant digestive system. Mating occurs during the wet season; males establish territories and harems or bachelor groups. Gestation lasts about eight and a half months, typically yielding a single calf, with births synchronized in the latter part of the rainy season. Predators include lions, hyenas, and cheetahs.

The blue wildebeest is generally widespread and relatively abundant across protected landscapes. The black wildebeest has faced greater historical declines but remains present in suitable habitats with ongoing protections. Both species benefit from habitat protection and wildlife management in national parks and reserves.