Head to head
Giant Eland vs Eland
Giant Eland
VS Eland
The giant eland and common eland belong to the same genus and share a similar spiral-horned build, but their size, striping, and geographic range set them apart.
| Giant Eland | Eland | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Taurotragus derbianus | Taurotragus oryx |
| Shoulder height | Taller | Slightly shorter |
| Overall bulk | Slightly lighter | Heaviest antelope in the world |
| Coat striping | More vivid white stripes | Plainer coat |
| Native range | West and Central Africa | Southern and East Africa |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Decreasing | Decreasing |
| Habitat | Savanna, forest | Savanna, grassland |
Giant Eland vs Eland: common questions
Which is bigger, the giant eland or the common eland?
The giant eland is taller at the shoulder, but the common eland is heavier overall and holds the title of the largest antelope in the world by weight, so each species has a claim to being the "bigger" one depending on the measure used.
Are the giant eland and common eland closely related?
Yes, both species belong to the same genus, Taurotragus, and share a similar spiral-horned build, though the giant eland has a more vividly striped coat and a larger dewlap.
Do the giant eland and common eland live in the same part of Africa?
No, the giant eland is native to West and Central Africa, while the common eland is native to southern and East Africa, with the two species' ranges not overlapping.