General Characteristics

Head to body Length : 220-290 cm ( 7.3-9.6 feet )

Tail Length :  90 cm (3 feet)

Horn Length : 120 cm ( 4 feet ) 

Height : 150-175 cm / 5-5.8 ft.

Weight : 440-900 kg ( 970-2,000 lbs )

Description : 

The smooth coat is reddish-brown to chestnut in color, with several, well-defined vertical white stripes on the torso.  A short-haired black spinal crest extends down the neck to the middle of the back, and is especially prominent on the shoulders.  The slender legs are slightly lighter on their inner surfaces, with black and white markings just above the hooves.  There are large black spots on the upper forelegs.  The bridge of the nose is charcoal black in color, and there is an thin, indistinct tan-colored chevron between the eyes.  The lips are white, along with several dots along the jaw-line.  A pendulous dewlap, larger in males then females, originates from between the jowls and hangs to the upper chest, with a fringe of hair on its edge.  An amorphous band of black almost completely encircles the lower neck, extending onto the dewlap.  The tail is long, and ends with a dark tuft of hair.  Both sexes have tightly spiralled horns, which are relatively straight.  In males the eland horn is v - shaped.

Range - The Giant Eland is an animal which lives in Central and Western Africa.

Habitat - They live in Broad-Leafed Savannas, and open space.

Diet -   It eats Branches, leaves, and grasses.

Status -  Eland populations have declined or have been eliminated in many parts of their range.  Overhunting has been one cause of the declining numbers.

Reason for the status - This is because of  habitat destruction and overhunting.

What type of animal is it -  It is a herbivore.

Gestation : 9 months

Longevity : 25 years

Giant Eland from San Diego wild animal park