The Blue Wildebeest is actually a dark silver-grey, sometimes with a brown tinge, although in some lights it does appear bluish-grey. They have humped shoulders, deep necks, and more lightly-built hindquarters: the slope from shoulder to hindquarters is also more pronounced than in black wildebeest.
Driven by their need for water and their partiality for fresh, sprouting grass, blue wildebeest have an amazing ability to track down a rainstorm - even if it is many kilometres away. Sometimes in herds of thousands, they will follow the sound of thunder, or perhaps the sight of rain clouds, until they reach the freshly fallen rain. They are associated with savanna woodland, as in addition to abundant drinking water they also require adequate shade.
These clumsy clowns of the wild, with their humped shoulders, sloping backs and rocking-horse gait may justifiably snort and grunt in alarm, toss their massive heads about nervously and search the air for scents of predators: being the favourite prey of lions they have to be ever on the alert. They are gregarious, and occur in herds of 20 to 30 individuals; they may also form much larger herds numbering thousands. Like the black wildebeest, their social organization consists of territorial males, female herds, and bachelor groups.
On their massive migrations, the younger, non-territorial bulls travel at the perimeter of the herd, often relying on the timidity of accompanying zebra for an early warning if predators are about. Exceptionally inquisitive, blue wildebeest often stand and stare at an intruder, before suddenly whirling round and galloping off. Blue wildebeest are tough and although normally timid, will fight ferociously when cornered. A single calf is born, usually between December and January. The young stay close to their mothers, who will suckle only their own calf.
More facts about Blue Wildebeest.
Best places to see the Blue Wildebeest in Southern Africa:
NATIONAL PARKS:
Kruger National Park - South Africa's biggest nature reserve is home to aproximately 2500 lions!
Pilanesberg National Park (South Africa)
Hluhluwe-Umfolozi National Park (South Africa)
Kalahari Gemsbok National Park (South Africa)
Etosha National Park (Namibia)
Chobe National Park (Botswana)
Kasunga National Park (Malawi)
PRIVATE GAME RESERVES:
Mala Mala Game Reserve
Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve
Phinda Resources Reserve
Timbavati Private Game Reserve
Shamwari Game Reserve
Londolozi Private Game Reserve
Singita Private Game Reserve
Ngala Private Game Reserve
Makalali Private Game Reserve
OTHER RESERVES/ PLACES
Okavango Delta (Botswana)
Savuti Marsh (Botswana)
Mashatu Game Reserve (Botswana)
 Mammals of Southern Africa >> Printable List <<
Wildlife - Fauna & Flora of Southern Africa
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