Eland Pawprint

Eland

The largest of the antelope, eland can weigh up to 680 kg and stand 178 cm at the shoulder.

Eland are graceful animals, with a large pendulous dewlap and pale fawn colour.

Despite its massive size, eland are excellent jumpers and can easily clear two meters.

Both sexes have horns which curve in a short outward an upward twist.

These horns are used to knock down foliage and although mainly browsers they do occasionally eat grass

Eland can be found in semi desert, miombo woodlands, grasslands, and acacia savannah.

Eland have a distinctive clicking noise when they move which is believed to be caused by the 2 halves of each hoof striking together

The eland provides rich and nutritious milk and leather, and has been domesticated in many areas with partial success

They live in large mixed groups, usually containing 25–70 individuals

Elands are the slowest antelope but can maintain a 20 kilometers per hour trot indefinitely

Hartebeest Pawprint

Red Hartebeest

High shouldered and a somewhat awkward looking antelope with a long pointed head.

Hartebeest are one of the fastest and enduring antelopes.

Males can weigh up to 150 kg and the female at 120 kg

Both sexes have horns.

They eat mainly grasses but will also browse.

Herd strength can vary from groups of 20 to several hundred.

Adult bulls are territorial with the territorial bull and his harem
occupying the best grazing.

In flight exhibits a "rocking horse" motion which is further exaggerated by its long face.

Has a habit of using an ant hill as a look out point

Videos: Mountain Biker gets taken out by Red Hartebeest

The Real Story - Buck Norris

Kudu

They are predominantly browsers but will eat grass under exceptional circumstances

The main rutting period is mid winter with most births occurring during the
summer months when a single calf is born after a gestation period of
approx. 210 days

They live in small family groups generally not more than 12 consisting of females and calves
Males join the groups only for mating purposes

Kudu are mainly diurnal being most active in the mornings and late afternoons
They run with their heads level to the ground with the horns laid back to avoid being entangled in branches

Kudu have acute hearing and are able to turn their large rounded ears in almost any direction

Kudu are ruminants and have a specially adapted stomach divided into 4 sections

Kudu will issue a harsh bark as a warning cry at the threat of predators such as leopard, cheetah or lion

Kudu Pawprint

Nyala

A medium-sized antelope, with 3 to 14 vertical white stripes on its sides

The ram carries a fringe of long hair (dewlap) which hangs from its underparts

Only the male has horns which are slightly spiraled curving outward after the first turn and with a white tip

The female is yellow brown in colour to a chestnut - also with distinctive vertical stripes on its sides

Nyala inhabits dense bush, riverside thickets and the fringes of forests with their natural diet comprising leaves, fruit, herbs, legumes, and fresh grass.

Nyala rams are not territorial and can often be seen in small groups with ewes and lambs

Images of Nyala Antelope

Nyala Pawprint

Photo Slideshows:

Eland | Nyala

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