Giant Eland

The **giant eland** (*Taurotragus derbianus*), also known as the **Lord Derby eland**, is an open-forest and savanna antelope. A species of the family Bovidae and genus *Taurotragus*, it was described in 1847 by John Edward Gray. The giant eland is the largest species of antelope, with a body length ranging from 220–290 cm (86.5–114 in). There are two subspecies: *T. d. derbianus* and *T. d. gigas*.

The giant eland is an herbivore, eating grasses, foliage and branches. They usually form small herds consisting of 15–25 members, both males and females. Giant elands are not territorial, and have large home ranges. They are naturally alert and wary, which makes them difficult to approach and observe. They can run at up to 70 km/h (43 mph) and use this speed as a defence against predators. Mating occurs throughout the year but peaks in the wet season. They mostly inhabit broad-leafed savannas, woodlands and glades.

## Characteristics

The Giant Eland is the largest species of antelope in the world. They have a body length between 2.2 and 3.45 m (7.2 - 11.3 ft), a tail length of 90 cms (35 inches), and they weigh between 300 and 1,000 kgs (660 - 2,210 lbs). Depending on sex, Giant Elands differ greatly in size, males can grow to almost double the weight of females, and can reach up to 1.8 m (5.9 ft) at the shoulder.

The coat of the Giant Eland is reddish-brown in color and is usually darker in males. The torso features 8 -12 well defined vertical white stripes. The colour of the male's coat darkens with age, and it has been stated that the darkness of the coat reflects the levels of androgen in the body. Androgen is a male hormone which is highest during rutting.

Giant Eland have large ears that serve as signaling devices and both male and females have tightly spiraled, 'V'-shaped horns. They can be up to 123 cm (4.04 ft) long on males, and 66 cm (2.17 ft) on females. Males have horns that are thicker at the ends, longer, and more divergent than those of females.  Giant Eland can move quickly, running at over 43 mph (70 km/h), and despite their size are exceptional jumpers, easily clearing heights of 1.5 m (4.9 ft).

## Range and Habitat

The giant eland is native to Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea, Mali, Senegal, and South Sudan. It is no longer present in The Gambia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Togo. It can also be found in the Jos wildlife park in Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau, and Uganda due to over hunting and a lack of professional wildlife management.

Giant Elands live in the broad-leafed savanna, woodlands and glades of central and western Africa. They also live in forests as well as on the fringes of deserts. They inhabit places near hilly or rocky landscapes and those with water sources nearby. They are not territorial and have large home ranges.

## Diet

The Giant Eland is primarily a herbivore. They eat grasses and foliage, as well as other plant parts. In the rainy season, they browse in herds and feed on grasses. They can eat coarse, dry grass and weeds if nothing else is available. Fruits, such as plums, are also on the menu when available. They often use their long horns to break off branches. Giant Elands also require a regular intake of water in their diet.

## Breeding

Mating occurs throughout the year, but peaks in the wet season. Fights occur for dominance, in which the bulls lock horns and try to twist the necks of their opponents and dominant males will mate with several females. After a gestation period of nine months one calf is usually born at night. The calf will remain with its mother for around four to six months, after which the young eland might join a group of other juveniles. Female Giant Eland reach sexual maturity at about two years, and males at four to five years of age.

### Predators

The Giant Eland's main predators are lions and spotted hyenas.