Elands are the largest of all antelope species. Males are significantly larger than females. Their coat is uniform in color, ranging from grey-brown or fawn, to orange-brown. White vertical flank strips sometimes are present. Both males and females grow horns. The horns on males grow up to 4 feet long, on females, they are shorter, growing up to 2.2 feet in length. Eland horns are beautiful structures, they are quite straight and twisted on the bottom half in a corkscrew manner.
Elands have a forelock (a tuft of mane that falls forward between its ears onto the animal's forehead) and a dewlap (a fold of skin that hangs from the lower part of the neck). The giant eland subspecies (Taurotragus oryx derbianus) has a ridge of hair on its nape and withers.
- Mass: 400-1000 kg (male), 300-600 kg (female)
- Body Length: 240-345 cm (male), 210-270 cm (female)
- Tail Length: 60-90 cm (male),50-80 cm (female)
- Shoulder Height: 140-180 cm (male), 130-160 cm (female)
- Diet: herbivorous (grasses, leaves, herbs)
- Age at Sexual Maturity: 15-24 months
- Number of Offspring: 1
- Predators: lion, leopard, hyena, cheetah, Cape hunting dog
- Average Lifespan: 25 years
Classification:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Artiodactyla
- Family: Bovidae
- Genus: Taurotragus
- Species: Taurotragus oryx
The species Taurotragus oryx contains the following subgroups:- Subspecies: Taurotragus oryx billingae
- Subspecies: Taurotragus oryx derbianus
- Subspecies: Taurotragus oryx livingstonei
- Subspecies: Taurotragus oryx oryx
- Subspecies: Taurotragus oryx pattersonianus
Range and Habitat:
References:
- Fahey B. 1999. Taurotragus oryx, Animal Diversity Web. November 21, 2008.
