Wildebeest, which are large antelope, and zebras, which are equids, do not engage in a predator-prey relationship; wildebeest are strict herbivores and do not eat zebras. The blue wildebeest, or Connochaetes taurinus, belongs to the Bovidae family, the same family as cows and sheep. Their specialized diet of plant matter means they lack the physical and digestive adaptations necessary to hunt or consume meat. The primary driver of wildebeest behavior, including their famous migrations, is the constant search for fresh, nutritious grasses.
The Wildebeest Diet and Herbivory
Wildebeest are classified as obligate grazers, meaning their diet consists almost entirely of grass. Their digestive system is adapted to break down the tough cellulose in savanna grasses. They possess a four-chambered stomach, characteristic of ruminants, which allows them to ferment and extract nutrients from low-quality vegetation through rumination.
Their wide muzzle is shaped for efficiently cropping short grasses close to the ground. This contrasts with the narrow muzzles of browsing animals that select for leaves and shrubs. The success of the immense migratory herds relies entirely on the seasonal availability of nutrient-rich, rapidly growing grasses in the Serengeti and Maasai Mara ecosystems.
Coexistence in the Serengeti: The Wildebeest-Zebra Relationship
Far from being prey, zebras are frequent companions of wildebeest, traveling together in enormous mixed-species herds during the Great Migration. This co-migration is a mutually beneficial ecological strategy. Zebras and wildebeest exploit different parts of the grassland vegetation, allowing them to graze the same areas without competing for food resources.
Zebras prefer the taller, coarser, and more fibrous grasses, moving first to graze the upper, less nutritious parts of the plants. This action effectively “mows” the savanna, clearing the way for the wildebeest to access the shorter, more palatable, and more nutritious shoots closer to the soil. The presence of both species in a single large group also enhances collective safety. Zebras possess excellent eyesight and memory, which helps them detect predators and navigate the migration route, while wildebeest have a superior sense of smell.
Predators of the Great Migration
The immense herds of both wildebeest and zebras serve as a primary food source for a host of carnivores, establishing the true predator-prey dynamic of the ecosystem. Both species are prey for apex predators like lions and spotted hyenas, which frequently target the herds. The sheer number of migrating animals, sometimes exceeding two million, provides a temporary abundance of food that supports large carnivore populations.
Other significant threats include cheetahs, leopards, and African wild dogs, which prey on both adult animals and vulnerable young calves and foals. Additionally, the dangerous river crossings during the migration are exploited by Nile crocodiles, which ambush the herds as they attempt to traverse the water. Traveling in large groups is a survival tactic for both wildebeest and zebras, as it reduces the risk of any single individual being singled out by these numerous predators.