A comparison of postures and gaits between two 'elands', the moose (Alces alces) and the common eland (Taurotragus oryx)
When the Dutch landed in South Africa in the late seventeenth century, they found the strange bovid, Taurotragus oryx, to be so similar to the familiar cervid, Alces alces, that they used the same name.
'Eland' is the Dutch word for Alces alces alces (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?taxon_id=852458), which was originally indigenous to the Netherlands.
This adoption of a misnomer - which has persisted for nearly four centuries - is understandable, because both species
- are the largest-bodied members of their respective categories of ruminants, namely deer vs antelopes,
- habitually trot, rather than cantering/galloping, when pursued (https://www.google.com.au/search?q=Eland+bulls+fighting&sca_esv=568362559&sxsrf=AM9HkKlgG-AUfAcw_VbOYYgCRYuv81AY2w%3A1695692872768&source=hp&ei=SDgSZfTzLLXMseMPp9y1mAk&iflsig=AO6bgOgAAAAAZRJGWCnf_rbtFmhUhTBCL4oux5QgVTD9&ved=0ahUKEwj0t8-alMeBAxU1ZmwGHSduDZMQ4dUDCAs&uact=5&oq=Eland+bulls+fighting&gs_lp=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&sclient=gws-wiz#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:11586598,vid:OWcItn5k7KI,st:0),
- possess noticeably high withers (https://www.dictionary.com/browse/withers), and
- possess dewlaps (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dewlap) in both sexes, which are more noticeable than the short nuchal mane present in both species.
In this Post, I compare A. alces with T. oryx with respect to postures and gaits, in light of the profound differences in their habitats and niches.
LYING
Both species rest in sternal recumbency (https://bestofthetetons.com/2014/11/18/resting-moose-a-collection-of-less-seen-lifestyle-images/ and https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/eland-lying-down.html?sortBy=relevant).
KNEELING
A major difference is that A. alces kneels readily at all ages (https://www.azotelibrary.com/en/image/a-moose-%28alces-alces%29-kneels-to-eat-grass-in-a-meadow-in-s%C3%B6dermanland/191539), whereas T. oryx seems never to kneel (apart from transitorily when lying down in sternal recumbency, or arising from such lying, https://www.bestofthetetons.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/RestingMoose_GettingUpSequence1400px.jpg and https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/eland-antelope-rising-grass-savannah-green-2247874629).
When drinking, T. oryx sometimes spreads its forelegs to some degree, in partial emulation of Giraffa (https://www.alamy.com/giraffe-and-elands-at-a-waterhole-area-etosha-national-park-namibia-africa-image415771067.html?imageid=16AC8853-6C1A-4753-BFF4-3ABEAFFEE8E7&p=1364503&pn=1&searchId=c841ad5a0499198295bbf8dbec6d6cc6&searchtype=0). I have yet to see a similar posture in A. alces - which instead kneels in such situations.
When sparring or fighting in masculine rivalry, neither species routinely kneels (https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/common-eland-taurotragus-oryx-male-fight-2255105889). In the case of T. oryx, I have yet to see evidence of any kneeling at all.
JUMPING
Alces alces can jump 2 m high, whereas T. oryx can jump 3 m high (https://naloolo.wordpress.com/2018/03/11/jumped-over-by-an-eland/).
The former species is a capable jumper, in line with other cervids. However, the latter is a remarkable jumper indeed. This is the converse of what might be predicted based on the length of the legs.
STOTTING
Alces alces does not stot in any way.
By contrast, T. oryx stots, in a way different from most other bovids. Instead of bouncing stiff-legged, individuals leap randomly, and seemingly pointlessly, while galloping in alarm in a group (https://twitter.com/Min_TourismKE/status/720195243241578496/photo/2 and https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/zooniverse/snapshot-serengeti/talk/1485/912470 and https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-africa-kenya-masai-mara-motion-blur-of-eland-jumping-through-grass-32822773.html?imageid=B09244FD-293E-4CD1-B166-556A9E4CB550&p=95453&pn=1&searchId=6101ba2c62ae717283a6f3f1f002323c&searchtype=0 and https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-eland-taurotragus-oryx-herd-running-laikpia-kenya-125584865.html?imageid=2DF7F368-4CD7-498D-97F8-AF1C2B837801&p=361664&pn=1&searchId=010f32aaa73c04f1f11960177dc59d66&searchtype=0).
BIPEDALITY
Alces alces sometimes stands bipedally, both to forage (https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Feot6wzys7i981.jpg) and to quarrel (https://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/video/cow-moose-standing-up-on-their-hind-legs-and-fighting-in-stock-footage/460383460 and scroll in https://www.canadiannaturephotographer.com/Joe_Desjardins.html).
By contrast, T. oryx - as far as I know - never uses any bipedal posture except transitorily (for a split-second) by males in copulation (https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-common-elands-mating-pair-taurotragus-oryx-amakhala-game-reserve-eastern-cape-south-africa-image51205440). Even in copulation, males support their weight on the females (https://www.agefotostock.com/age/en/details-photo/a-pair-of-common-elands-taurotragus-oryx-mating-in-the-amakhala-game-reserve-eastern-cape-south-africa/ESY-026334176).
Taurotragus oryx compensates for its inability to stand bipedally, by breaking branches with its horns. Alces alces also breaks woody stems while foraging, but does so by
- reaching up with its mouth and then pulling downward, or
- walking against an upright stem to force it down by means of the chest (https://winterberrywildlife.ouroneacrefarm.com/2019/08/09/moose-feeding-sign-with-video/).
FORAGING NEAR GROUND LEVEL WITHOUT KNEELING
Both A. alces and T. oryx are capable of foraging, without kneeling, on terrestrial plants lower than 20 cm above ground level. This is because the former combines a short neck with a long muzzle, whereas the latter combines a relatively long neck with a relatively short muzzle.
However, foraging in this way is easier for T. oryx than for A. alces, the former grazing as a staple part of its foraging (short green grass during the rainy season), whereas the latter seldom grazes. The neck of A. alces is so proportionately short that the length of the muzzle does not quite compensate. Thus the shoulders and elbows are more flexed in an awkward posture in the case of A. alces, whereas T. oryx appears more at ease when grazing.
To reach ground level itself with the mouth, the two species differ categorically. Alces alces is incapable of doing so without kneeling, whereas T. oryx does so by flexing the shoulders and elbows somewhat.
WALKING
Alces alces and T. oryx walk with identical gaits, viz. semi cross-walking rather than ambling.
Semi cross-walking is typical of ungulates dependent on cover, whereas ambling is typical of gregarious ungulates adapted to open environments. Alces alces is more cover-dependent than T. oryx. The former is odd among long-legged ungulates, in semi cross-walking, whereas the latter is odd among 'plains game', in semi cross-walking.
Alces alces cross-walks when walking backwards (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5eY7kVsLQA).
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/bull-moose-gm1055977806-282201912
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/walking-bull-moose-randy-straka.html
https://www.alamy.com/bull-moose-denali-national-park-preserve-alaska-united-states-of-america-a-unique-optimised-version-of-an-image-by-nps-ranger-jw-frank-credit-npsjacob-w-frank-image454466690.html?imageid=DC229BEB-798B-4807-AFC7-245D832C911F&p=1837101&pn=1&searchId=acbc6be48e9684687a1dabcb59018a60&searchtype=0
https://pixels.com/featured/bull-moose-crossing-river-jack-bell.html?product=wood-print
https://www.kimballstock.com/popuppreview.asp?db=a&image=AFW+36+MH0004+01&itemw=4&itemf=0001&itemstep=1&itemx=1
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/young-eland-walking-on-the-skyline-gm670061476-122489693
https://www.alamy.com/common-or-southern-eland-taurotragus-oryx-de-hoop-nature-reserve-western-cape-south-africa-image555774369.html?imageid=B8DBE331-4F0A-4C2E-9AA5-68B247944D26&p=824482&pn=1&searchId=bebe53939638886546a1f3e44729a7e9&searchtype=0
TROTTING
Both species trot, as their preferred gait in running (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxTsf51vqmE).
Alces alces can trot with a high-stepping style, allowing it
- to clear obstacles such as fallen logs, without jumping, and
- to run through deep snow (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GEhM2Byk7w).
Because its legs are so long, its speed while trotting corresponds to the cantering gait of other ruminants of similar body size.
Taurotragus oryx is remarkable in that it trots even when in immediate danger from predators (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8349694/).
CANTERING
I have yet to see evidence that either A. alces and T. oryx ever canter.
GALLOPING
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=XlcypwnGcjQ
https://www.facebook.com/fox13seattle/videos/snowboarders-film-moose-running-alongside-them-down-mountain/10156033272534199/?locale=ms_MY
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-galloping-moose-on-the-run-39492457.html?imageid=5350CBC7-C4B1-4B9A-9B64-6D290EE4B904&p=34828&pn=1&searchId=9980e653e8ba1e2c918d82ab21cc4bd3&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-galloping-moose-on-the-run-39492473.html?imageid=33DB1C68-DD8A-4C00-AD3B-DC32CDCC8420&p=34828&pn=1&searchId=9980e653e8ba1e2c918d82ab21cc4bd3&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/eurasian-elk-alces-alces-alces-galloping-jaemtland-or-jamtland-sweden-image61916611.html?imageid=3BC9868E-A8B6-4863-99A7-6C3CC44A4B4A&p=75026&pn=1&searchId=9980e653e8ba1e2c918d82ab21cc4bd3&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-cape-eland-running-through-the-golden-grasses-of-the-open-serengeti-23833726.html?imageid=ED4E0569-531B-4524-BA79-6BD1B4DFE2A1&p=17446&pn=1&searchId=010f32aaa73c04f1f11960177dc59d66&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-cape-eland-running-through-the-golden-grasses-of-the-open-serengeti-23832589.html?imageid=17B542F1-E9D2-4E86-826E-EF7E8C5BB3F9&p=17446&pn=1&searchId=010f32aaa73c04f1f11960177dc59d66&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/eland-running-taurotragus-oryx-masai-mara-kenya-image181597557.html?imageid=B8F85DBD-7D48-4E42-9140-A35A91064D77&p=738418&pn=1&searchId=010f32aaa73c04f1f11960177dc59d66&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/eland-taurotragus-oryx-masai-mara-kenya-image181635085.html?imageid=BA59C0DA-E616-4513-896B-D62F229A744A&p=738418&pn=1&searchId=010f32aaa73c04f1f11960177dc59d66&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-eland-taurotragus-oryx-pair-running-through-spring-flowers-west-coast-125584310.html?imageid=86EB619E-ADDE-42BF-A3F5-11AD3FF7BAD5&p=361664&pn=1&searchId=010f32aaa73c04f1f11960177dc59d66&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-eland-taurotragus-oryx-pair-running-through-spring-flowers-west-coast-125584310.html?imageid=86EB619E-ADDE-42BF-A3F5-11AD3FF7BAD5&p=361664&pn=1&searchId=010f32aaa73c04f1f11960177dc59d66&searchtype=
SWIMMING
Alces alces is one of the most proficient swimmers among ruminants (https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/northern-ont-logging-crew-rescues-moose-that-fell-through-the-ice-1.5774814). It swims extremely rapidly, with endurance, and it can dive so deep while foraging that it disappears completely below the surface.
This is consistent with its foraging niche, which combines browsing on the foliage of trees and shrubs with submerging its head for aquatic algae and herbaceous plants.
By contrast, T. oryx has - as far as I know - never been recorded swimming. It is probably capable of swimming, given that its tragelaphin relatives are known to be capable swimmers. However, it is generally associated with dry climates, tends to avoid the dense vegetation near rivers, and is not known to take refuge in water when pursued by predators.
https://africageographic.com/stories/eland/
https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/vertical-photo-of-huge-eland-antelopetaurotragus-oryx-standing-under-angolan-giraffe-drinking-from-waterhole-animals--664492120013532545/
https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/389750/view/eland-antelope-drinking
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/eland-antelope-drinking-tony-camachoscience-photo-library.html?product=wood-print
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-eland-drinking-at-waterhole-etosha-namibia-19949416.html
https://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/photo/common-eland-drinking-at-chudop-waterhole-etosha-royalty-free-image/1032889546
https://gf.nd.gov/magazine/2020/feb/kneeling-moose
https://www.flickr.com/photos/annkelliott/18675993910
https://stock.adobe.com/images/kneeling-moose/210074588
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/46888551
http://www.silencelikethunder.com/kneeling-moose.html
https://www.reddit.com/r/alaska/comments/hhwh1k/moose_kneeling_to_eat_in_my_side_yard/
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/moose-kneeling-to-eat-green-grass-gm859156154-142020203
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4-39sCnsTs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M26ug8MGYlY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRDdedOQz6g