Eland

The Common Eland

The Giant Eland

The Eland is the largest antelope. There are two species, both African.

The Common Eland, Taurotragus oryx, is from East Africa and South Africa. The Giant Eland, Taurotragus derbianus, is found in Sudan, Central African Republic, Cameroon and Senegal and West Africa.

The two species are rather similar in size: males range in size from 600 to 800 kg (1300—1760 lb) and may even reach a ton on rare occasions; females range from 400 to 600 kg (880—1300 lb).

Giant Eland are alert and wary, making them difficult to approach and observe. They are gregarious, and migrate in small herds of twenty or so animals. Giant Eland live in open forest and savannah where they eat grass, leaves, and branches. Common Eland live in large herds.

Observers have, as usual, found it difficult to measure their speed of running. Some claim they move quickly, running at over 70 km/h (43 mph), and despite their size are exceptional jumpers, easily clearing heights of 1.5 m (4.9 ft). Others claim Elands are one of the slowest antelopes, but can even jump a height of 2.5 meters or more.

When walking, tendon or joints in the eland's foreleg produce a sharp clicking sound, the cause of which is not known. The sound carries some distance and is a good indication of an approaching herd. Scientists take it as a form of communication in elands.