Wednesday 29 October 2014

MALAWI - Eland Antelope at Game Haven Park

This is a short post because these Eland Antelope appeared very suddenly on the right of the vehicle and disappeared within a minute back into the bush.  The Bull brought up the rear.  Males are bigger than females.  Their coat differs geographically, with Elands in north Africa having distinctive markings (torso stripes, markings on legs, dark garters and a spinal crest) that are absent in the south. Apart from a rough mane, the coat is smooth.


Both sexes have horns with a steady spiral ridge (resembling that of the bushbuck). The horns are visible as small buds in newborns and grow rapidly during the first seven months.  The horns of males are thicker and shorter than those of females and have a tighter spiral. Males use their horns during rutting season to wrestle and butt heads with rivals, while females use their horns to protect their young from predators.  


The Eland is the slowest antelope, with a peak speed of 25 miles per hour that tires them quickly.  However, they can maintain a 14 miles per hour trot indefinitely.  They are capable of jumping up to 8 ft 2 in from a standing start when startled, 9.8 ft for young Elands. It's life expectancy is generally between 15 and 20 years; in captivity some live up to 25 years.


Usually, a female chooses the most dominant and fit male to mate with. Sometimes she runs away from males trying to mate, causing more attraction. This results in fights between males, in which their hard horns are used. It is 2–4 hours before a female allows a male to mount. Males usually keep close contact with females in the mating period. The dominant male can mate with more than one female.[  Females have a gestation period of 9 months, and give birth to only one calf each time.


I have a very short video that can be accessed at

http://youtu.be/Qij7LlZz16M

If there is a black space below, click it and the video will appear.



This is yet another animal that I had never seen before so I hope you enjoyed the post.

Thank you for you or visit and also to those who leave comments.

17 comments:

  1. They look such sturdy creatures compared with the other sleek members of the antelope family. You did well to capture such clear photos in such a short time.

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  2. The antelope are pretty animals.. Great post and video, Margaret.. Enjoy your day!

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  3. Wow, I've never know this Eland Antelope p:-) And surprising to read 'Both sexes have horns'☆☆☆
    Great post of wild animal♪
    Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

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  4. I loved hearing the excitement in the video-great info with your wonderful photos!

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  5. Lovely photos Margaret and a really interesting post :)

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  6. It would be just so amazing to see these antelope just appear to get shots of. I see you were ready when they came. Great shots, and what an amazing trip you had!

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  7. These are very exciting images Margaret. Must have been fun.

    Mersad
    Mersad Donko Photography

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  8. Beautiful photos of this animal, Margaret.
    Beautiful viseo too.
    Have a nice day.

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  9. Wow---beautiful creatures, Margaret. I've never seen them before. I did see an antelope (called Pronghorn I think) in Wyoming on one of our trips west--but it didn't look a thing like yours.. Thanks for sharing such beauty.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  10. They look big and powerful. Marvelous photos Margaret!

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  11. They are quite strange looking. So something new today for me.

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  12. Nice pictures and interesting information about these animals.

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  13. I have never seen these before. Interesting animals.

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  14. Wonderful sighting, Margaret! great info!

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  15. such a gorgeous antelope! Nice sighting. :)

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