Blue Wildebeest - Distribution and Habitat

Distribution and Habitat

Blue wildebeest are found in open and bush-covered savanna in south and east Africa, thriving in areas that are neither too wet nor too arid. They can be found in places that vary from overgrazed areas with dense bush to open woodland floodplains. Wildebeest prefer the bushveld and grasslands of the southern savanna. The terrestrial biome designations for these preferred habitats are savanna, grassland, open forest and scrub forest.

Large herds numbering into the thousands may be observed on the Tanzanian Serengeti equatorial plain, and in Zambia in Liuwa Plain National Park, in their annual migration. Smaller herds of about 30 are found in northern Botswana, Zimbabwe, and the South African locations of Waterberg, Kruger National Park, and Mala Mala. Some herds can be found almost to the southern tip of South Africa.

Blue wildebeest can tolerate arid regions, as long as a potable water supply is available. Since all wildebeests require a long drink every day or two, they must have water within about 15 to 25 km distance. Their blunt muzzles are best equipped for biting short green grasses, since a wide incisor row prevents more selective feeding. Short grasses of this type are usually only found on alkaline or volcanic soils. Blue wildebeest are locally the favored prey for lions, spotted hyenas, and mature Nile crocodiles. The latter, giant reptiles, stalk them at river crossings and explosively grab them by their faces, dragging them into the water to drown. Lionesses usually attack them by ambush and then bite down onto their throats or sometimes snouts until they are suffocated. Hyenas usually kill wildebeest by repeatedly biting to the sides, ultimately causing death by shock and blood loss. The young also fall prey to cheetahs, leopards, and wild dogs, the last sometimes also take adults in if in a large pack.