Where does the common eland live?
The common eland is a large savannah and plains antelope found in East and Southern Africa. It prefers habitats with a wide variety of flowering plants such as savannah, woodlands, and open and montane grasslands, and avoids dense forests. It forms herds of up to 500 animals, but is not territorial.
What does the common eland eat?
It is mainly a herbivore, its diet primarily grasses and leaves. Its need for water is quite low because it produces urine with a high urea content: most of its water comes from its food, though it drinks water when available. It uses loud barks, visual and postural movements, and the flehmen response to communicate and warn others of danger.
Is the common eland endangered?
No: the IUCN lists it as Least Concern, with an estimated 90,000 to 110,000 mature individuals, but the trend is gradually decreasing. Threats are habitat loss from expanding human settlements and poaching for meat. It is one of the largest antelopes in Africa: an adult male is around 1.6 m tall at the shoulder and typically weighs 500 to 600 kg, up to 942 kg.
