Description

Common elands are spiral-horned antelopes. They are sexually dimorphic, with females being smaller than the males.

Both sexes have horns with a steady spiral ridge. The horns are visible as small buds in newborns and grow rapidly during their first seven months.  The horns of males are thicker and shorter than those of females and have a tighter spiral. Males use their horns during rutting season to wrestle and butt heads with rivals, while females use their horns to protect their young from predators.

The common eland is the slowest antelope, with a peak speed of 25 miles per hour that tires them quickly. However, they can maintain a 14 mile per hour trot almost indefinitely. Elands are capable of jumping up to 8 feet from a standing start when startled. The common eland’s life expectancy is generally between 15 and 20 years; in captivity some live up to 25 years.

Approximate dimensions:

Skull is 18.5 inches long

Nose to tip of horn is 38 inches

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