Taurotragus oryx
The common eland lives in the savannah and plains of East and Southern Africa.
Common elands eat grass, branches and leaves. Like all large antelope species elands are dependent on a water source and will travel very long distances when water is not readily available. Herds are usually between thirty and eighty individuals, but are known to reach upwards of four hundred. They are very fast animals. In spite of their size and weight (an adult male can reach up to a tonne) they can easily jump up to 1.5m (5ft) high.
The picture of this common eland was taken at the zoo of Berlin, Germany, in September 2005.
Genus Taurotragus
Subfamily Bovinae
Family Bovidae
Order Artiodactyla
Subclass Eutheria
Class Mammalia
Subphylum Vertebrata
Phylum Chordata
Kingdom Animalia
Life on Earth
Index