TAUROTRAGUS Meaning and
Definition
-
Taurotragus is a noun that refers to a large and powerful bovine mammal belonging to the Bovidae family, commonly known as the eland. It can also denote any species belonging to the genus Taurotragus, encompassing two recognized extant species: the common eland (Taurotragus oryx) and the giant eland (Taurotragus derbianus).
The eland, widely distributed across the African continent, is characterized by a robust build, with males being significantly larger and possessing impressive spiral-shaped horns that can measure up to 123 centimeters in length. They have a coarse and dense coat, usually tan or grayish in color, with noticeable white vertical stripes on their bodies. These herbivores are renowned for their strong adaptability, being able to thrive in a variety of habitats such as grasslands, savannas, woodlands, and even mountains.
Taurotragus elands are renowned for their impressive speed and endurance, capable of reaching speeds of up to 40 miles per hour, making them one of the swiftest large mammals. Furthermore, they are known for their remarkable jumping ability, able to clear heights of up to 8 feet, making sturdy enclosures necessary to contain them effectively. Elands are diurnal animals, usually forming herds comprising of females and their offspring, while males tend to be solitary or form bachelor groups.
Taurotragus elands are economically important animals, commonly hunted for their meat, which is highly prized as it is tender, lean, and rich in protein. Additionally, they are of cultural and spiritual significance to various African communities, and their horns are often used in traditional ceremonies, jewelry, and local crafts.
Common Misspellings for TAUROTRAGUS
- raurotragus
- faurotragus
- gaurotragus
- yaurotragus
- 6aurotragus
- 5aurotragus
- tzurotragus
- tsurotragus
- twurotragus
- tqurotragus
- tayrotragus
- tahrotragus
- tajrotragus
- tairotragus
- ta8rotragus
- ta7rotragus
- taueotragus
- taudotragus
- taufotragus
Etymology of TAUROTRAGUS
The word taurotragus is derived from two Greek words: tauros, meaning bull, and tragos, meaning goat. The term was originally used to describe a mythical creature that combined qualities of a bull and a goat, known as a bull-goat. The word was later adopted by zoologists to designate a specific African antelope species, known as the bongo antelope (Tragelaphus eurycerus). The animal's large size and sturdy build, reminiscent of a bull, likely contributed to the choice of the term taurotragus.
Similar spelling words for TAUROTRAGUS
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
