# Common Eland (*Tragelaphus oryx*) The Common Eland is a large antelope with long, spiraled horns. They are gentle giants that love to roam the grasslands and savannas of Africa, often seen in herds. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Savannas ![Common Eland](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Taurotragus_oryx_-_young_bull_-_Etosha_2015.jpg&width=800) Photo: Yathin S Krishnappa, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Taurotragus_oryx_-_young_bull_-_Etosha_2015.jpg) ## Appearance The Common Eland is a massive antelope with a tawny, tan, or grey-brown coat, often adorned with faint vertical white stripes. Males develop a prominent dewlap and a forehead tuft. Both sexes sport impressive spiral horns. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Artiodactyla - **Family:** Bovidae - **Genus:** Taurotragus ## Interesting facts - Common Elands are the world's largest antelope! - Even young calves are born with tiny horns already forming. - Their impressive spiral horns can grow over a meter long! - They make a unique clicking sound when they walk, caused by their hooves! ## Special abilities - **High Jumper:** Common Eland can leap surprisingly high, clearing obstacles because of their powerful legs. - **Rumble Talker:** Common Eland can speak in 'rumble code' using very low sounds that help them talk across distances. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 200-340 cm - **Weight:** 300-1000 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-20 years - **Speed:** 70 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 255-275 days ## Diet & Feeding A giant herbivore that loves munching on leaves, shoots, and fresh grasses. - **Primary Foods:** leaves, shoots, herbs, grasses, fruits, roots - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Lion (*Panthera leo*) — Lions often hunt young or sick elands. - **Eaten by:** [Spotted Hyena](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-hyena) (*Crocuta crocuta*) — Hyenas target calves and weak elands. - **Depends on:** Umbrella Thorn (*Acacia tortilis*) — They browse on its leaves and pods. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Horned](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/horned): Characterized by having one or more hard, permanent, pointed projections on the head. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Savanna](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/savanna): This habitat trait denotes species native to savannas, which are grasslands with scattered trees, typically found in tropical or subtropical regions with distinct wet and dry seasons. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Giant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/giant): Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always watch from a distance and never try to touch wild animals like elands. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Common Eland? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Common Eland? 200-340 cm ### How much does Common Eland weigh? 300-1000 kg ### How long does Common Eland live? 15-20 years ### How fast can Common Eland move? 70 km/h ### What does Common Eland eat? A giant herbivore that loves munching on leaves, shoots, and fresh grasses. ### Where is Common Eland usually found? Savannas ### How does Common Eland hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [The Wilds](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/the-wilds) — Ohio, US · Zoo - [Six Flags Wild Safari Adventure](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/six-flags-wild-safari-adventure) — New Jersey, US · Zoo ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Common Eland: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eland)