Zingela Safaris

Arid scrub and grassland, savanna woodland. Independent of water.

Feeds at night when vegetation contains more water, pulling leaves into the moutn with the lips, not the tongue. Breaks down branches by twisting them between the horns, or hooking the horns over them. Rather than sweating to stay cool, allows body temperature to rise during the day, then unloads excess heat at night. Herd members groom one another. Bulls horn the soil and bushes, and rub the tuft of hair on the forehead in soil where they or an oestrous female have just urinated, caking it with mud. Eland are slow runners, and trot rather than galloping. When threatened by predators, herds bunch with calves in the middle, and counterattack with horns and hooves.

Predominantly a browser, but will eat green grass, which is the bulk of the diet in summer. Prefers grass burned within the past year. Browses on both leaves and twigs, and also takes fruit and berries. Will eat dry fallen leaves.

Single calves are born in November after a gestation of 271 to 279 days. The females are infertile after 15 years. The weight of the bulls can be 650kg. and the cows 460kg. They have a lifespan of around 18 years.