Species Name Connochaetes taurinus

Family Bovidae

Order Artiodactyla

Distribution

The wildebeest is found in Southern Africa, south of the equator.

Habitat

Wildebeests like light wooded open savanna regions and short grass plains.

Numbers

The wildebeest is fairly common.

Related Species

The white-tailed gnu (Connochaetes gnu) is much rarer than C. taurinus.

Interesting Facts

Wildebeests are attracted by the colour red. Hunters used to use this peculiarity to bring the animal within range of their weapons. Wildebeest tails are used to make fly whisks which are used by human leaders as an indication of their status.