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Project Noah Nature School
Connochaetes taurinus
Males can grow to 145 cm (57 in) shoulder height and attain a body mass of over 275 kg (610 lb).[3] They range the open plains, bushveld, and dry woodlands of Southern and East Africa, living for more than 20 years. The male is highly territorial, using scent markings and other devices to protect his domain. The large horns shaped like parentheses, extending outward to the side and then curving up and inward. In the male, the horns can attain a total span of almost 90 cm, while the females' horn width is about half the size of the males'. Blue wildebeest often graze together with other species such as plains zebras, for purposes of mutual protection. Zebras in particular are beneficial, since they mow down highly vegetated areas, leaving the wildebeests to eat the newly exposed and more nutritious short grasses, which they prefer.
Seen at Etosha National Park
Spotted on Feb 18, 2011
Submitted on Nov 25, 2012
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