Blue Wildebeest: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Giants of Africa · day 7 of 7

Five facts

1. A newborn wildebeest weighs about 19 kg and is usually standing within minutes, steady on its feet before night brings out predators.
2. Mating lasts about three weeks, at the end of the rainy season. About 8.5 months later, 80 to 90% of calves are born within just three weeks.
3. Blue wildebeest can reach up to 80 km/h.
4. Even without a drink, they can cover 80 km in five days with peaks of 38 °C.
5. Males' parenthesis-shaped horns can reach 83 cm. Females' are much shorter, at 30-40 cm.

The quiz

1. How soon can a newborn wildebeest stand?

• In minutes (correct)
• After a day
• After a week
• After a month

Newborns can stand in minutes.

2. How long does the wildebeest mating season last?

• Three days
• Three weeks (correct)
• Three months
• Half a year

Mating lasts about three weeks, at the end of the rainy season.

3. What top speed can a blue wildebeest reach?

• 20 km/h
• 40 km/h
• 80 km/h (correct)
• 120 km/h

Blue wildebeest can reach up to 80 km/h.

4. How far can they travel in five days without a drink?

• 80 km (correct)
• 8 km
• 18 km
• 180 km

They can cover 80 km in five days without a drink.

5. How long can a male's horns reach?

• 8 cm
• 30 cm
• 183 cm
• 83 cm (correct)

Male horns can reach 83 cm.

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