C. t. mearnsi, of Kenya and Tanzania, in which the beard is white. Both sexes of Connochaetes possess horns, which arise separately and are usually heavy and recurved. The oxlike head and horns, the bristly facial hair, and the general body form give Connochaetes a ferocious appearance, which is misleading.
Females have four mammae.
Wildebeest prefer open grassy plains with a nearby source of water. When disturbed, they begin curious antics, prancing about, pawing the ground, probing the earth with their horns, and thrashing their tails. If a person approaches to within 500 meters, they snort and dash off a short distance, wheel about to face the intruder, and then resume the ritual. They are active mainly in the early morning and late afternoon, resting in the hot hours of the day. Some herds are migratory, constantly moving about in search of food, but others remain in one area throughout the year.