Giant Eland
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? Giant
Eland Conservation status:
Endangered
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| Taurotragus
derbianus Gray, 1847 |
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The Giant Eland (Taurotragus derbianus also known as the Derby Eland) is an open forest savannah antelope. It is found in Central African Republic, Sudan and Senegal. There are two subspecies the endangeredT. d. derbianus found in Senegal's Niokolo-Koba National Park, and the low riskT. d. gigas found in Central Africa.
Giant Eland stand 150 to 175 centimetre at the shoulder and weigh from five to nine hundred kilograms. The coat is chestnut, darker in males than females. There are around ten white vertical stripes on the body as well as a white underside and black definition around the base of the neck and along the nose. There is a bit of a dewlap under the throat and a short black mane running down the back almost to the back legs. Both sexes have horns which are relatively straight with many twists. Males have larger horns than females, they reach 120 centimetres.
Giant Eland live in open forest and savannah where they eat grass, leaves and branches. Giant Eland are mainly nocturnal. Giant Eland form groups of around twenty animals though double that is possible. These herds are nomadic, migrating extensively.
The binomial commemorates Edward Smith-Stanley, 13th Earl of Derby.