Andrew,

Interesting post on a good topic. One feature I've noticed on Lord Derby Eland bulls is the formation of "barnacles" around the bases of their horns and, in some cases, these extend a short distance down the nose. (Not sure what these are exactly but they remind me of barnacles, in appearance at least, like what you see on some whale species. I'm guessing they are calcium deposits of some sort.) These seem to become more pronounced as the animal ages so I associate their presence with that of an older, fully mature specimen. I have heard that these "barnacles" are very prominent on the Western Giant Eland found in Senegal.