Common Eland

The common eland, also known as the southern eland or eland antelope, is a large-sized savannah and plains antelope found in East and Southern Africa. It is a species of the family Bovidae and genus Taurotragus. Eland are the largest antelope in the world. Adult males are around 1.6m (5′ ft) at the shoulder. Their horns are spiralled. Males are larger than females but both have horns! They are capable of jumping 2.5m (over 8′ ft) from a standing start. Predators. Adult Eland are only preyed upon by lions and spotted hyenas and the young fall prey to most of the larger carnivores such as Leopards, Cheetahs and Wild Dogs. The cow-like eland is the world's largest antelope. However, it has the endurance to maintain a trot indefinitely and can jump a 1.5 meter (4 feet) fence from a standstill. Both males and females have horns that spiral tightly, though female horns tend to be longer and thinner.

Mass: 880 – 2,100 lbs (Male, Adult), 660 – 1,300 lbs (Female, Adult)

Speed: 25 mph (Maximum)

Scientific name: Taurotragus oryx

Gestation period: 274 days

Family: Bovidae

Kingdom: Animalia

Order: Artiodactyla

Distribution:

Common elands inhabit southern Africa and the foothills in the great southern African plateau, as well as Ethiopia and most of the arid zones in South Sudan, as well as western Angola, Namibia, and South Africa. They prefer to live in semi-arid areas that contain many shrub-like bushes and often inhabit woodlands, and mountaintops. Elands typically avoid deep forests, swamps, deserts, and very open grasslands but do occur in grassland with good herb cover.