Common Eland
Tragelaphus oryx
Large herbivore in savannas and hills, feeding mainly on grasses and leaves.
| Scientific name | Tragelaphus oryx |
|---|---|
| Swahili name | Eland |
| Conservation status | Least Concern |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Family | Bovidae |
| Size | Male: 400-1000 kg; Female: 300-600 kg |
How to identify
Large body size, shoulder height about 150-180 cm; long spiral horns, males have thicker and more upright horns; light brown coat with fine white stripes; prominent skin folds on the neck; tail tip with long black hair.
Habitat
Open woodland savanna, open grasslands, shrublands, and hilly areas
Diet
Herbivorous, primarily feeding on grass, leaves, young shoots, and fruits
When it is active
Diurnal, active during the day, more active at dusk
Where it lives
Mainly distributed in East and Southern Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. Common in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve.
How to spot it
Observe at dawn or dusk in open grasslands or woodland savanna, keep distance to avoid disturbance, use binoculars to assist observation.
Photography tips
Use soft morning and evening light for photography, capture herd activity and the spiral shape of horns, use telephoto lenses for details.
Threats
Habitat loss, overhunting, and human disturbance
Similar species
Similar to the Greater Kudu, which has longer and more tightly spiraled horns and a more slender body; the common eland is more robust with straighter horns.
