Eland Looks Like a Muscular Cow With Thick, Twisted Horns

Described as cow-like, elands are the largest antelope species, with adult eland bulls often weighing over 2,000 pounds (900 kg). They have a robust yet elegant build, with vertical white stripes running along their tawny coat, which darkens as they get older.

One of their most defining features is their corkscrew horns, which are present in both males and females, though the horns of dominant bulls are thicker and more prominent.

The giant eland, found in central Africa, is slightly larger than the common eland, which is more prevalent in eastern and southern Africa. Despite their size, elands are surprisingly agile, capable of jumping over fences and obstacles nearly 8 feet (2.4 meters) high.

The two primary species of elands are the common eland (Taurotragus oryx) and the giant eland (Taurotragus derbianus).

The common eland, also known as the Cape eland, is widespread across southern Africa, including regions like South Africa and Botswana. These elands commonly live in national parks and game reserves, where they contribute to the local ecosystem.

The giant eland, on the other hand, is more elusive, found primarily in central African regions such as Cameroon. You can distinguish this species by its larger size and darker coloration. Conservation efforts for both subspecies are crucial, as habitat loss and hunting have historically threatened their populations.

The life of an eland begins with a single calf, born after a gestation period of about nine months. Calves stay close to their mothers for the first few months, gaining strength and learning essential survival skills. Female herds provide a safe environment for young elands, protecting them from predators.

As they mature, young males leave their maternal herds to join bachelor groups or live independently. The first eland to establish dominance in a group often becomes the breeding male, ensuring the continuation of the herd.

Elands can live up to 15 to 20 years in the wild, with their lifespan often extending in protected areas.

Elands are social animals. Experienced females lead female herds, which include calves and young elands. Eland bulls are more solitary, joining herds only during the mating season or to establish dominance within a group.

Dominant bulls show off their strength, using their corkscrew horns to engage in sparring contests. These interactions help determine mating rights and maintain social hierarchy within eland herds. Despite their size, elands are generally peaceful animals, avoiding conflict whenever possible.

Elands are herbivorous grazers and browsers, feeding on a variety of grasses, leaves and shrubs.

The diet elands consume is highly adaptive, allowing them to thrive in diverse environments ranging from open plains to semiarid regions. Their ability to digest fibrous plant material efficiently makes them well-suited to surviving in areas with scarce resources.

Elands inhabit a range of environments, from savannas and grasslands to open plains and wooded areas. They are particularly common in eastern and southern Africa, where national parks and game reserves provide protected habitats. These areas ensure elands can roam freely without the threat of hunting or habitat encroachment.

Protected areas, such as Kruger National Park in South Africa, play a critical role in preserving the eland population. Their natural habitats often include water sources as elands require regular hydration, though they are capable of surviving in arid conditions by deriving moisture from their food.

Elands have benefitted greatly from conservation efforts, particularly in regions where they are protected within national parks and game reserves. Organizations like the African Wildlife Foundation work to ensure these majestic animals continue to thrive in their natural habitats.

Despite their relatively stable populations, habitat loss and hunting remain challenges for the species, particularly for the giant eland. Efforts to curb illegal hunting and promote sustainable practices — including the management of widely domesticated elands — are vital for their future.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.