One of the 2 elands on WAnimals
Mammals · Artiodactyla · Bovidae
Common Eland
Taurotragus oryx
Least Concern
The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk.
The common eland is, together with the giant eland, the heaviest antelope in the world: old males exceed 900 kilos. Despite its size it clears fences of more than two metres from a standing start. It is nomadic and covers great distances in search of grazing, in herds that can gather several hundred animals. Adult males develop a hanging dewlap and a dark tuft on the forehead. It has been experimentally domesticated in Russia and Zimbabwe for its milk and meat.
Weight
300 kg – 940 kg
Size
2 m – 3.5 m
Life expectancy
20 years
