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Wildebeest

An Unmistakable Appearance: This antelope, looking like an unkempt moose, has an unmistakable appearance. Its extensive mane extends from back to shoulders and dips over the animal's forehead. Fur color is silver-gray with brown colorations toward the rear. Curved horns sprout from the top of its head and can grow as long as 32 inches in males. At a height of 5 to 7 feet it is surprising that the wildebeest can be vulnerable to crocodile attacks when crossing rivers.

Banding Together: From 1 to 4 years of age males form bachelor herds. Later in life they will establish solitary territories. Most wildebeest will band together, however, when making the hazardous seasonal journey to feeding areas, a trip that could be hundreds of miles.

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MORE WILDEBEEST

VIDEO: A Wildebeest Is Born

VIDEO: Lions Catch Wildebeest

FACTS: More Wildebeest Facts

INTERACTIVE: Okavango Bestiary

DID YOU KNOW?

Massive Migration: The northward journey of Africa's 1.5 million wildebeests, usually occurring in May or June, is the largest mammal migration in the world.

Black and Blue: There are two wildebeest species: the blue and the less commonly known black wildebeest. The latter has been essentially exterminated in the wild; today's relatively small herds are derived from captive specimens and exist only on game farms and in zoos.

A Silvery Sheen: The blue wildebeest has a silvery blue sheen to its short-haired hide (the black wildebeest has a relatively plain hide).