Animal Guide

The elephant, the largest living land mammal, is categorized mainly into two extant species: the Indian elephant and the African elephant. The latter has gray-brown skin and is generally larger in size than the former, reaching 6 meters or more (20 feet or more) in length and approximately 7 tons (15,400 pounds) in weight. The African elephant can be quickly distinguished from the Indian elephant not only by its greater size but also by its larger ears, which are frequently fanned in order to lower its body temperature. The species is also characterized by its long tusks, reaching 2 meters (80 inches) in length in both males and females.

The trunk, the most distinctive feature of elephants, is actually a greatly elongated upper lip and nose. This extremely versatile organ is able to grip and carry food to the mouth like human hands and draw water like a pump. It is also used to communicate within the herd.

In order to maintain its immensely large body, each elephant must consume as much as 150kg (330 lb) of bark, foliage and grass, and drink as much as 70 liters or more (approximately 18.5 gallons or more) of water a day.

The African elephant is matriarchal and associates in herds numbering in a few to dozens of family members led by an aged female. Bulls are driven from the herd and begin to live alone after some time. On the contrary, females stay with the mother within the herd.

The African elephant inhabits the African continent, from which of course it derives its name. It is mainly found in tropical forests, savannas, marshes, semi-arid regions, river valleys, and highland regions south of the Sahara Desert reaching elevations of 5,000 meters or more (16,700 feet or more) above sea level. Due to its enormous diet, the animal is easily affected by environmental changes enforced by man, such as land development and environmental pollution. The number of African elephants has dropped enormously. This is ultimately the result of ivory hunting. It is said that at the beginning of the 20th century there were 10 million African elephants, but now there are less than 500,000 and the number continues to decrease.