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Fast Facts:

The spiral horns can grow up to 2 ½ feet in females and 3 ½ feet in males.
When food is scarce the Eland paws the ground to dig up roots and bulbs.
It can go long periods without water surviving on moisture in its food. It will drink brackish water replenishing its body with salt and essential minerals.

Lord's Derby Eland

Scientific Name	Taurotyagus oryx
Classification	Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Bovidae
Status	Endangered. Population has been drastically reduced by hunting, agriculture and disease.
Range	Primarily in National Parks in Eastern and Southern Africa.
Habitat	: Plains with scrub or scattered trees for cover.
Diet	Foliage, fruit and some grasses.
Size	Length: 6-11.5 feet Height: 4-6 feet Weight: 1,500 pounds. Some bulls can weigh over 2,000 pounds.
Lifespan	: 8-10 years
Location
Print Fact Sheet	Eland

Special Features

The spiral horns can grow up to 2 ½ feet in females and 3 ½ feet in males.
The bulls have a dark, tufted forehead and often a white chevron between the eyes.
Both sexes have a short, tufted neck mane. A dewlap at the base of the throat has a tuft of black hairs and is conspicuous in old bulls.
In Russia and Zimbabwe, the Eland is domesticated and valued for its hide, rich milk and tender flesh. It is also used as a beast of burden.

Social Structure & Behavior

Live in loose herds of 25-70 animals. Old bulls are often solitary. Since it roams widely in search of food, it is not territorial and does not defend its home range. Although placid, shy and generally silent, it is always alert and barks a gruff alarm to warn of danger. When foraging, the Eland moves constantly. As it moves, the Eland makes a clicking noise that is probably caused by the two halves of each hoof striking together. Horns are used to knock down branches.

Breeding/Care of Young:
Sexual maturity in females is 3 years and males 4 years. Gestation is 8-9 months resulting in a single birth. The calf is born without horns. The newborn calf remains hidden for two weeks. Then it follows the herd, bleating to stay in touch. It is weaned in 4-5 months.