Elands are Africa’s largest antelope species, recognized for their impressive size. These bovids possess a distinctive appearance that sets them apart in the diverse African landscape.
Physical Traits and Natural Environment
Elands exhibit remarkable physical characteristics. Adult male common elands can reach a shoulder height of 1.5 to 1.8 meters (5 to 6 feet) and weigh between 400 and 1,000 kilograms (880 to 2,200 pounds). Females are slightly smaller, typically standing 1.25 to 1.53 meters (4.1 to 5 feet) at the shoulder and weighing 300 to 600 kilograms (660 to 1,320 pounds). Their coat color varies from tan or fawn, often darkening to bluish-grey in older males. Some elands, particularly males, may display faint vertical white stripes along their sides.
A prominent feature of the eland is its dewlap, a loose fold of skin hanging from the throat, particularly noticeable in males. Males also develop a dense patch of hair on their foreheads as they age. Both male and female elands possess spiral horns, with distinct differences: male horns are thicker and shorter, typically measuring 43 to 66 centimeters (17 to 26 inches) with a tighter spiral, while female horns are generally longer and more slender, reaching 51 to 69 centimeters (20 to 27 inches). Elands are agile, capable of jumping up to 2.5 meters (8 feet) from a standstill.
Elands are widely distributed across the African continent, with two recognized species: the Common Eland (Taurotragus oryx) and the Giant Eland (Taurotragus derbianus). The Common Eland ranges throughout East and Southern Africa, extending into Ethiopia and South Sudan. The Giant Eland primarily inhabits woodlands and savannas in West and Central Africa, from Senegal to the Nile River.
These adaptable animals thrive in a variety of natural environments. They prefer open savannas, woodlands, and plains, and can also be found in semi-arid regions and mountainous areas up to 4,600 meters (15,000 feet) in altitude. Elands generally avoid dense forests, swamps, and true deserts, indicating a preference for areas with some vegetation cover.
Daily Life and Survival
Elands are herbivores, consuming a wide range of plant matter. They are primarily browsers, feeding on leaves, shoots, and branches, but also graze on grasses, especially during the rainy season. Their dietary flexibility allows them to obtain much of their water needs directly from the plants they eat. They can even use their horns to break down higher branches to access leaves.
Elands are nomadic animals, often moving in search of optimal food sources. Their social structure is fluid, with herds varying significantly in size, ranging from a few individuals to occasionally aggregating in groups of over 500, or even more than 1,000 during certain periods. These groups are not territorial and their composition can change frequently, with individuals moving between different herds. Herds may consist of mixed sexes and ages, or separate into female-dominated groups with young, and smaller bachelor groups of males. Older male elands sometimes live solitarily.
Elands are fast and possess considerable endurance. Common elands can reach speeds of up to 40 kilometers per hour (25 mph) and maintain a trot for extended periods, while Giant elands can run even faster, up to 70 kilometers per hour (43 mph). The reproductive cycle of elands involves a gestation period of approximately nine months, typically resulting in the birth of a single calf. Calves are able to run within hours of birth and initially hide in vegetation before joining nursery herds. Females reach sexual maturity between one and three years of age, while males typically mature later, at four to five years.
The conservation status of eland species varies. The Common Eland is currently listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN, indicating a relatively stable population, estimated between 90,000 and 110,000 mature individuals in 2016. However, their numbers are declining in some areas due to habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. The Giant Eland, conversely, is classified as “Vulnerable,” with its western subspecies considered “Critically Endangered.” Conservation efforts, including protected areas, anti-poaching initiatives, and wildlife corridors, are underway to safeguard eland populations across their range.