Eland facts for kids
The eland is the biggest type of antelope in the world! There are two main kinds, and both live in Africa.
The common eland, also known as Taurotragus oryx, lives in East Africa and South Africa. The giant eland, or Taurotragus derbianus, is found in countries like Sudan, Central African Republic, Cameroon, and Senegal in West Africa.
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Discover the Eland!
Eland Size: Giants of the Antelope World
Elands are truly huge! Male elands usually weigh between 600 and 800 kilograms (about 1,300 to 1,760 pounds). Sometimes, a male can even weigh a whole ton! Female elands are a bit smaller, weighing from 400 to 600 kilograms (about 880 to 1,320 pounds).
Where Do Elands Live?
Giant elands are very watchful and shy. This makes them hard to get close to and observe. They like to live in groups and often travel in small herds of about twenty animals. Giant elands prefer open forests and savannah areas. There, they munch on grass, leaves, and branches. Common elands live in much larger herds.
Eland Superpowers: Speed and Jumps
It's tricky to measure exactly how fast elands can run. Some people say they are very quick, running over 70 kilometers per hour (about 43 mph). Despite their large size, they are amazing jumpers! They can easily leap over things that are 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) high. Other observers believe elands are slower antelopes. But they can jump even higher, sometimes clearing 2.5 meters (over 8 feet)!
The Mystery Clicking Sound
When an eland walks, you might hear a sharp clicking sound. This sound comes from a tendon or joint in their front leg. Scientists don't know exactly why it happens. The sound can travel quite far, so it's a good sign that a herd is coming closer. Some naturalists think it might be a way for elands to talk to each other.
