# Eland (*Taurotragus oryx*) The Eland is a large antelope with beautiful spiraled horns. They are known for their impressive jumping ability and gentle nature. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Southern Eland ![Eland](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424841/objects/6064.jpg) ## Appearance The Eland is Africa's largest antelope, with a tawny to grey-brown coat, sometimes adorned with faint white stripes. Both sexes have magnificent spiral horns, but males also sport a distinctive dewlap hanging from their throat. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Artiodactyla - **Family:** Bovidae - **Genus:** Taurotragus ## Interesting facts - Despite their massive size, Elands are incredibly shy and often flee from danger. - Eland can survive without water for long periods by eating succulent plants. - Eland milk is incredibly rich and can be domesticated for it! - Their strong, spiral horns can grow over a meter long on males! ## Special abilities - **Mighty Leaper:** Eland can jump over 2.5 meters because of their strong legs, helping them clear fences or obstacles. - **Endurance Runner:** Eland has incredible stamina that helps them travel long distances in search of food and water. - **Water Wanderer:** Eland can swim well because of their powerful build, allowing them to cross rivers and water bodies. - **Clicking Communicator:** Eland can make a unique clicking sound because of their hooves, helping them communicate with their herd. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 200-340 cm - **Weight:** 400-1000 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-25 years - **Speed:** 70 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 270-280 days ## Diet & Feeding Elands are gentle giants who mostly munch on leaves, shoots, and grass. - **Primary Foods:** leaves, shoots, grasses, fruits, roots - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Lion (*Panthera leo*) — A primary predator of adult and young Elands. - **Eaten by:** [Spotted Hyena](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-hyena) (*Crocuta crocuta*) — Often targets Eland calves and sick individuals. - **Eaten by:** [African Wild Dog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/african-wild-dog) (*Lycaon pictus*) — Hunts in packs, often targeting younger Elands. - **Symbiotic with:** Yellow-billed Oxpecker (*Buphagus africanus*) — Eats ticks and parasites from the Eland's skin. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [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. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Admire Elands from a safe distance and never approach them in the wild. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify 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 Eland? 200-340 cm ### How much does Eland weigh? 400-1000 kg ### How long does Eland live? 15-25 years ### How fast can Eland move? 70 km/h ### What does Eland eat? Elands are gentle giants who mostly munch on leaves, shoots, and grass. ### Where is Eland usually found? Grasslands ### How does Eland hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Zoo Knoxville](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-knoxville) — Tennessee, 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: [Eland: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eland)