Taurotragus oryx
Afrikaans : Eland
Zulu : Impofu
German : Elenantilope
French : Éland du Cap
The eland is the largest of the antelope in Africa :
Body Length: 200-345 cm / 6.7-11.5 ft.
Shoulder Height: 130-180 cm / 4.3-6 ft.
Tail Length: 60-90 cm / 2-3 ft.
Weight: 300-1,000 kg / 660-2200 lb.
The smooth tan or fawn coat may have narrow white vertical stripes on flanks. Males are usually darker, with a gray or bluish tinge to their coat, and have a distinctive dark 'rug' of hair on their foreheads. They have a gland which is found in the tuft on the forehead There is a pendulous, black-tufted dewlap on the lower throat.
The common eland is most active in the morning and late afternoon, lying sheltered in the heat of the day. A very gregarious species, the common eland is always found in large herds, with no dispersion during the rainy season. A possible explanation for this is the strong mutual attraction by calves, and a 'safety-in-numbers' strategy. . There is no exclusive use of space or evidence for territoriality, but adult males within a maternal herds have a distinct social hierarchy.
Gender differences:
The slightly diverging horns are found in both sexes and are virtually straight, with 2 tight twists. Horns in females are longer and thinner than in males, growing up to 68 cm / 27 inches in length. Horns in males may grow to 65 cm / 26 inches long.
Males and females differ in weight/mass too.
Males ± 700 Kg
Females ± 400 Kg
Habitat:
They can be found in open grasslands, semi deserts as well as in montane grasslands in eastern and southern Africa (South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe)
Diet:
They are mainly browsers but will occasionally feed on fresh grass shoots They often make puffing and grunting sounds while feeding.
Reproduction:
After a gestation period of 9 months, a single calf is born. After birth the young lie briefly in concealment before joining a crèche or nursery with other infants Weaning takes place at 6 months. Females become mature at 15 – 36 months and the males as 4 – 5 years. Eland live up to 25 years, but the average life expectancy is 12 years.
The family group is a large mixed group, usually containing 25-70 individuals, though up to 400 have been observed.
Other:
Eland are remarkably fast, and have been recorded running over 70 kmph / 42 mph. Despite their size, they are exceptional jumpers, easily clearing heights of 1.5 m / 5 feet.
They are taken by wild dog, leopard and cheetah when young. Hyena and lion will prey on adults.
Several attempts have been made to see if the domestication of the eland for milk and meat is feasible, with mixed results.
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