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We all know that elephants are the giants of nature. Today's topic is about them, who despite being large are sensitive animals.
O The elephant is a mammal that stands out for its large size, long trunk and commercially highly coveted tusks.
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They are classified as herbivores, as they feed on huge amounts of vegetables daily, ingesting more than 100 kg of food daily.
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Currently, there are three species, two African elephants and one Asian elephant, which are almost extinct.
Fun facts about elephants
- Their tusks are commercially valuable because they allow the extraction of ivory, which is why their numbers on the planet are decreasing.
- The African savanna elephant is the largest land animal, weighing around 7 tons.
- Females have the longest gestation period in the animal kingdom, lasting around 22 months.
Main characteristics of the elephant
Strong animals, which have a resistant skeleton, adapted to support their weight and serve as support for their developed muscles.
They stand out for having a long, muscular trunk that helps them pick up objects from the ground, carry water, break branches and feed.
Their tusks are used by the elephant to defend itself in fights, lift objects and mark trees.
They live in groups led by females. Males walk alone or live in smaller groups.
They communicate through the production of sounds, which are varied and can be produced vocally or through beats.
Animals that stand out for their intelligence and have a large brain.
They have a high life expectancy, living between 60 and 70 years.
The Habitat of Elephants
Their habitat varies depending on the different existing species.
African elephants can be found in different places in Africa, such as savannas, woodlands, forests, beaches and deserts.
And Asian elephants can live in grassland, forest and shrubland environments.
Elephant feeding
Elephants feed on a variety of plant species. Their diet consists of grasses, herbs and even cutting down trees to eat their leaves and bark.
The number of elephants is decreasing of the planet
Elephants are declining on the planet due to habitat loss and hunting.
Because they consume large quantities of vegetables, they can quickly destroy entire plantations, which is why there are conflicts with humans.
In addition to being hunted to obtain ivory, used in the manufacture of different objects, such as works of art, knife handles and jewelry.
Elephant species
Currently, there are three species of elephant: the African savanna elephant, the African forest elephant and the Asian elephant.
African Savannah Elephant
It is the largest species of land mammal in the world. planet, measuring 2.5 m to 3.95 m in height and weighing up to 7 tons.
Males are larger than females and wider.
Both females and males have curved ivory tusks, which can measure around 350 cm in length.
Their trunks are strong and can help them pick up objects. They have large ears that help regulate their temperature.
Their social structures are composed of a matriarchal society, their groups are led by females.
The matriarch is the largest and oldest female. The cubs weigh about 100 kg.
On the list IUCN Threatened Species List, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, they need protection.
African Forest Elephant
African forest elephants are seasonal, as they change habitats as needed.
They live in marshy areas of Africa during the dry season and in regions of rainforest during the rainy season.
Their average height is 144 to 155 cm and they are smaller than African savanna elephants.
Unlike savanna elephants, African forest elephants have thinner, straighter tusks, which help them move through forests.
The African forest elephant is classified as a species with a reduced number on the planet.
Asian elephant
They are observed in different habitats in Asia, such as grasslands and forests.
They are smaller than African elephants, and males are larger than females.
Males of this species have a height that varies between 240 and 300 cm, and their body mass reaches 6 tons.
Females are between 195 and 240 cm tall, and their body mass reaches around 3.5 tons.
One characteristic that stands out in females is that they do not have fangs, only males have this structure.
The gestation period lasts around 18 to 23 months, and the average number of puppies is one.
The average time for puppies to become independent is five years.
Females have a high degree of parental care for their young, unlike males, who do not demonstrate this.
They have a long life expectancy, estimated at 60 to 70 years, both in the wild and in captivity.
The Asian elephant is classified by the IUCN as almost non-existent on the planet.
Important tips
Awareness for nature conservation is very important for maintaining life on earth.
We must do what we can and never contribute to or support the illegal animal trade.
Meet the World Animal Protection and their work protecting elephants.
