The black wildebeest, or the white-tailed gnu Connochaetes gnou
Unlike the blue wildebeest, which is widely spread in Africa, the white-tailed gnu has a restricted range within South Africa, Swaziland, and Lesotho. White-tailed gnus live in herds of up to several dozens individuals but during seasonal migrations they may gather in large herds, sometimes with other Bovids. White-tailed gnus occur in the open plains, grasslands and shrublands. Gestation in the female lasts about 8 months and the female gives birth to one or two calves. Like with other antelopes, newborns of the white-tailed gnu are well-developed and can stand up in 15 to 20 minutes after birth. The calves’ coats are lighter than those of adult animals; their horns start growing in a few months and are rather straight than curved at the early stage of growth. Young calves start eating grass at the age of one week but they are not weaned until they are 8 to 9 months old. Close bonds between the calves and their mothers sustain during one year; young white-tailed gnus reach sexual maturity at the age of 2 to 2.5 months but older males would not let them breed until they are much older.
