Originally, black wildebeest (also known as white-tailed gnus) ranged the highveld temperate grasslands during the dry winter, and the arid karroo during the rains.
With its thicker, darker coat, than the blue or common wildebeest, black wildebeest are able to range farther south than the Orange River, past the edge of the acacia savannah, into colder climates. They rarely seek shade, and need little winter shelter.
Black wildebeest weigh up to 157kg, are dark brown to black in colour, males being darker in colour than females. Both sexes become lighter in coat colour in the summer, and develop shaggier coats in the winter. Like blue wildebeest, they possess a bushy beard and mane. However, the black wildebeest has a mane that stands up from its neck, rather than draping across the neck, like that of the blue wildebeest. This bristly mane is cream to white in colour and black at the tips. The beard is black in colour and stretches only along the lower jaw, not the length of the neck, as in the blue wildebeest. Additionally, black wildebeest have an area of longer, dark hair between the forelegs, covering the chest, and another patch of bristly black hair along the bridge of the nose.
Paired horns curve down, forward, and then up, like hooks, and are up to 78 cm in length (slightly thinner and shorter in females). The base of the horns is widened and flattened to form a protective shield.
Dominant males defend access to a harem of females with which they mate. These territorial bulls are able to mate at any time, will call at twice the normal tempo, and may even froth at the mouth. A rutting bull will never eat nor rest, as long as there are females within his territory.
Black wildebeest produce a magnificent trophy and are available to hunt with us here at South African Hunting Safaris.
