The black and blue wildebeest

The species has two subspecies in blue and black wildebeest. What is the difference between the blue and black wildebeest?

• In both species the male is larger than the female. Generally, the blue wildebeest is larger compared to the black wildebeest.
• The horns of the blue and black wildebeests differ as the latter curve upwards while those of blue wildebeest curve towards the skull.
• The blue species has a grey colour with a bluish sheen as compared to black which has brown coloured hair.
• The blue specie has a wide habitat range inclusing Kenya, Tanzania and most of Southern Africa while the black is restricted to Southern Africa. The blue wildebeest is known for its migration unlike the black species.

The Great Migration

• The famous wildebeest migration occurs mainly because the species search for food.
• The Great Migration sees over 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebra and a large group of antelopes travelling cross country between the Serengeti of Tanzania and Masai Mara of Kenya  
• During the migration around 250,000 wildebeest and 30,000 zebras are die off each year not only because of predation by carnivores but also from thirst, craving, and fatigue.

Reproduction

• Between January and March, half a million wildebeest are born each year in the Serengeti. In February, the month with the highest calving rate, around 8,000 wildebeest are brought into the world every day.
• Pregnancy lasts 8.5 months, and it closes with a single baby. Female conceives in the middle of her. 80% of calves are designed during a similar 2-multi week time frame, just before the rainy season.
• The calves can stand up and dash just after birth and have short straight horns that bend as they become more seasoned.

Behaviour

• Despite their size, the black wildebeest is a quick runner so that they can escape from their main predators, lions, leopards, hyenas and African wild dogs. They have estimated at up to 80 kph. They additionally must be careful about crocodiles when they get a drink or cross a large river.
• Males likewise attract females by rubbing a scent (created in the preorbital and interdigital gland) into the ground. They will urinate and defecate to mark their breeding an area and to keep other males off.

The wildebeest migration is the largest of mammals. It is no wonder that wildebeest migration is one of the seven new wonders of the world. Despite the spectacle, habitat fragmentation is threatening the survival of the species. Moreover, some livestock keepers deliberately kill the species to reduce competition for pasture and spread of zoonotic diseases.