A group of eland is called a herd.
Eland are the largest antelope species in the world, and despite their massive size, weighing up to a ton, they remain surprisingly social animals, forming herds that can number in the hundreds under the right conditions.
What Is a Group of Eland Called?
The standard and only widely recorded term is a herd of eland, a simple, general word applied consistently across large hoofed mammals in the English collective-noun tradition.
Where Did the Name Come From?
“Herd” is one of the oldest words in the English language for grouped livestock and grazing animals, with roots going back to Old English “heord.” It isn’t tied to any single documented origin specific to eland, it’s simply the default, catch-all term applied to large, social, hoofed mammals generally, and it fits eland well given their genuinely gregarious nature.
Eland Facts
- Habitat: Common eland are found across the savannas, grasslands, and open woodlands of eastern and southern Africa.
- Social behavior: Highly social, eland form loose, fluid herds that can range from a handful of individuals to several hundred, with membership often changing day to day.
- Diet: Browsers and grazers, eating leaves, grasses, fruits, and seed pods, with a diet flexible enough to survive in fairly arid conditions.
- Lifespan: Eland typically live 15-20 years in the wild.
- Distinctive: Despite weighing up to 2,000 pounds, eland are remarkable jumpers, capable of clearing obstacles over 8 feet high from a standing start.
Example Sentences
- A herd of eland grazed calmly at the edge of the reserve as the sun began to set.
- The safari group watched in disbelief as a member of the herd of eland cleared the fence in a single leap.
Other Names for a Group of Eland
“Herd” is the only widely recorded collective noun for eland.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a group of eland called?
A group of eland is called a herd, the standard collective noun for large hoofed mammals.
How big can eland herds get?
Eland herds are fluid in size, sometimes just a handful of animals, other times growing to several hundred individuals.
Are eland the largest antelope?
Yes, the common eland is the largest antelope species in the world, with males weighing up to a ton.
Can eland really jump that high?
Yes, despite their massive size, eland can leap over 8 feet high from a standstill, an impressive feat for such a heavy animal.
Related: Collective Nouns for Mammals