African Antelope Information

photo © Fay Pearse

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.

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photo © Fay Pearse

Red Hartebeest

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 exhbiits a "rocking horse" motion which is further exaggerated by its long face.

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photo © Fay Pearse

Kudu

They are predominantly browsers but will eat grass under exceptional circumstances.

The main rutting period is mid winter with most births occuring 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.

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photo © Fay Pearse

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 spiralled 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.

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