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7. No, you absolutely cannot poke it.
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Wildebeest are renowned for their epic migrations across Africa, but their synchronized birthing season is equally astonishing. In just three weeks, over 500,000 calves are born, overwhelming predators and increasing the survival rate. Gestation lasts about 8.5 months, timed with the rainy season so mothers have access to nutritious grasses and calves can quickly start grazing. Calves are born rapidly, able to stand and run within minutes—a crucial adaptation for escaping predators.
The mass births also encourage calves to form nursery groups, or creches, allowing mothers to graze while the young are safeguarded in numbers. This collective approach to parenting highlights the intricate social systems within wildebeest herds.
