Families may associate and bond with each other, forming what are known as bond groups which typically made of two family groups. and compile a scientific report for this printable biology worksheet. [197] In Islamic tradition, the year 570 when Muhammad was born is known as the Year of the Elephant. [94] When her tenure is over, the matriarch's eldest daughter takes her place; this occurs even if her sister is present. Calves are the centre of attention in their family groups and rely on their mothers for as long as three years. [93], Bulls engage in a behaviour known as mate-guarding, where they follow oestrous females and defend them from other males. [186] The expression "elephant in the room" refers to an obvious truth that is ignored or otherwise unaddressed. There were 13,000–16,500 working elephants employed in Asia in 2000. [106] Most mate-guarding is done by musth males, and females actively seek to be guarded by them, particularly older ones. [25] As with other megaherbivores, including the extinct sauropod dinosaurs, the large size of elephants likely developed to allow them to survive on vegetation with low nutritional value. These elephants likely grew smaller on islands due to a lack of large or viable predator populations and limited resources. [36] The vertebrae are connected by tight joints, which limit the backbone's flexibility. [177] 1) There are three different species of elephant – the African Savannah elephant, the African Forest elephant and the... 2) Elephants are the world’s largest land animal! When present in the female, tusks are small, thin, and often of a uniform thickness. [43], The trunk, or proboscis, is a fusion of the nose and upper lip, although in early fetal life, the upper lip and trunk are separated. [165] From South Asia, the use of elephants in warfare spread west to Persia[164] and east to Southeast Asia. You have the freedom to do as you please and achieve what you want to achieve. [126], From various experiments, the elephant larynx is shown to produce various and complex vibratory phenomena. A greeting rumble is emitted by members of a family group after having been separated for several hours. The former are sexually mature by the age of nine years[109] while the latter become mature around 14–15 years. AD 7. [62] Both the front and hind limbs can support an elephant's weight, although 60% is borne by the front. Use these after a … Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Elephants can live up to 70 years in the wild. Individuals greet each other by stroking or wrapping their trunks; the latter also occurs during mild competition. When moving, elephant mothers will touch their calves with their trunks or feet when side-by-side or with their tails if the calf is behind them. [141] In June 2016, the First Lady of Kenya, Margaret Kenyatta, helped launch the East Africa Grass-Root Elephant Education Campaign Walk, organised by elephant conservationist Jim Nyamu. [6] The larynx of the elephant is the largest known among mammals. At the same time, improvements in lip and leg coordination occur. Elephants are herbivores: they eat a range of plants, including grasses, fruit, and roots. Elephants typically have grey skin, but African elephants look brown or reddish after wallowing in coloured mud. Later on, genera such as Phiomia and Palaeomastodon arose; the latter likely inhabited forests and open woodlands. [161][162], The practice of working elephants has also been attempted in Africa. [107] Thus these bulls have more reproductive success. [37], An elephant's skull is resilient enough to withstand the forces generated by the leverage of the tusks and head-to-head collisions. [39] Elephants are considered dichromats[40] and they can see well in dim light but not in bright light. [3][4] As in Mycenaean Greek, Homer used the Greek word to mean ivory, but after the time of Herodotus, it also referred to the animal. They’re warm-blooded vertebrates that nurse their young with milk produced by mammary glands, and they’re hairy creatures (the hairs are just small and sparse, so they don’t look furry). [141] Due to the vast areas involved, assessing the total African elephant population remains difficult and involves an element of guesswork. These low-frequency (5–24 hertz) calls are responded to by other elephants up to 4 km (2.5 miles) away. Elephants have been the focus of much scientific study. [118], Play behaviour in calves differs between the sexes; females run or chase each other while males play-fight. [92], Some elephant populations in India and Sri Lanka have similar basic social organisations. [141] This prompted international bans on ivory imports, starting with the United States in June 1989, and followed by bans in other North American countries, western European countries, and Japan. [27], Proboscideans experienced several evolutionary trends, such as an increase in size, which led to many giant species that stood up to 500 cm (16 ft 5 in) tall. Professor of Biology, University of Asmara, Eritrea. Agonistic encounters typically consist of threat displays, chases, and minor sparring with the tusks. [2], Elephants belong to the family Elephantidae, the sole remaining family within the order Proboscidea which belongs to the superorder Afrotheria. Discover (and save!) The last molars can measure nearly 40 cm (almost 16 inches) long and weigh more than 5 kg (about 11 pounds). Population trends in southern Africa were mixed, with anecdotal reports of losses in Zambia, Mozambique and Angola while populations grew in Botswana and Zimbabwe and were stable in South Africa. [189] In Asia, the animals are depicted as motifs in Hindu and Buddhist shrines and temples. When fighting, they are used to attack and defend, and to protect the trunk. The trunk is used for breathing, bringing food and water to the mouth, and grasping objects. Though it includes both the upper lip and the nose, the entire trunk is made up of 40,000 muscles, which is about 62 times the number of muscles in the entire human body. [50], Like humans, who are typically right- or left-handed, elephants are usually right- or left-tusked. Indian elephants travel constantly, staying in one place for less than a few days. [92], The social life of the adult male is very different. Filter by: Section. This male weighed about 24,000 lb (11,000 kg), with a shoulder height of 3.96 meters (13.0 ft), a metre (yard) taller than the average male African elephant. [183][184][185] Several cultural references emphasise the elephant's size and exotic uniqueness. The African Elephant’s ears are twice as large as the Asian Elephant’s. Asian elephant eating tree bark, using its tusks to peel it off. [190], Elephants are ubiquitous in Western popular culture as emblems of the exotic, especially since – as with the giraffe, hippopotamus and rhinoceros – there are no similar animals familiar to Western audiences. An Asian elephant has been observed modifying branches and using them as flyswatters. Males (bulls) leave their family groups when they reach puberty, and may live alone or with other males. [87] One study found that younger matriarchs are more likely than older ones to under-react to severe danger. Dwarf elephants of uncertain descent lived in Crete, Cyclades, and Dodecanese while dwarf mammoths are known to have lived in Sardinia. They may add to the display by shaking their heads and snapping their ears, as well as throwing dust and vegetation. After 1987, losses in elephant numbers accelerated, and savannah populations from Cameroon to Somalia experienced a decline of 80%. [190] One of the most important Hindu deities, the elephant-headed Ganesha, is ranked equal with the supreme gods Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. [76] Elephants are herbivorous and will eat leaves, twigs, fruit, bark, grass and roots. [70], Elephants are known to communicate with seismics, vibrations produced by impacts on the earth's surface or acoustical waves that travel through it. While the Peregrine Falcon is the fastest bird, with a diving speed of 242 mph (390 kph). [127] These calls occur at frequencies less than 20 Hz. Elephants have six sets of cheek teeth (molars and premolars) in their lifetime, but they do not erupt all at once. A bull will follow a potential mate and assess her condition with the flehmen response, which requires the male to collect a chemical sample with his trunk and bring it to the vomeronasal organ. Larger ear surfaces contain more capillaries, and more heat can be released. In addition, the sprayed liquid contains small food particles commonly found in the pharyngeal pouch, as opposed to digested food from the stomach. Family groups tend to be small, consisting of one or two adult females and their offspring. They are used for digging for water, salt, and roots; debarking or marking trees; and for moving trees and branches when clearing a path. [12] Major feeding bouts take place in the morning, afternoon and night. Bifurcations of this nerve reach most portions of the trunk, especially the tip, which is equipped with tactile bristles at regular intervals. [124] Perhaps the most well known call is the trumpet which is made by blowing through the trunk. The first (or anovulatory) surge, could signal to males that the female is in oestrus by changing her scent, but ovulation does not occur until the second (or ovulatory) surge. [140], African bush elephants were listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2021,[141], and African forest elephants were listed as Critically Endangered in the same year[142]. Calves have brownish or reddish hair, especially on the head and back. Elephants are scattered throughout sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia and are found in different habitats, including savannahs, forests, deserts, and marshes. The Asian elephant includes three subspecies: the Indian, or mainland (E. maximus indicus), the Sumatran (E. maximus sumatranus), and the Sri Lankan (E. maximus maximus). This is perfect for ANY level and ANY animal. [109] During copulation, the male lays his trunk over the female's back. [34] This classification has been re-evaluated and since the Second International Mammoth Conference in 1999, these animals are no longer considered to be true "dwarf mammoths". Allomothers are typically two to twelve years old. Anatomically, the trunk is a combination of the upper lip and nose; the nostrils are located at the tip. [91], Female elephants spend their entire lives in tight-knit matrilineal family groups, some of which are made up of more than ten members, including three mothers and their dependent offspring, and are led by the matriarch which is often the eldest female. There appear to be cohesive family units and loose aggregations. As in heterosexual interactions, this involves mounting. [84] Because most of the food elephants eat goes undigested, their dung can provide food for other animals, such as dung beetles and monkeys. For extinct relatives also known as elephants, see, African bush elephant with its trunk raised, a behaviour often adopted when trumpeting, Closeup of the cheek teeth of a dead juvenile bush elephant. They appear to rely on their leg and shoulder bones to transmit the signals to the middle ear. This species reached a height of 120–180 cm (3 ft 11 in–5 ft 11 in) and weighed 200–2,000 kg (400–4,400 lb). The lower jaw is solid and heavy. The trunk, or proboscis, of the elephant is one of the most versatile organs to have evolved among mammals. [62][78] Elephants average 3–4 hours of sleep per day. That is … Encourage the children to find and circle the words listed. [69] The throat of an elephant appears to contain a pouch where it can store water for later use. They are found most often in savannas, grasslands, and forests but occupy a wide range of habitats, including deserts, swamps, and highlands in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia. Other descendants of the straight-tusked elephant existed in Cyprus. Elephant, (family Elephantidae), largest living land animal, characterized by its long trunk (elongated upper lip and nose), columnar legs, and huge head with temporal glands and wide, flat ears. Other elephant heroes given human qualities include Jean de Brunhoff's Babar, David McKee's Elmer, and Dr. Seuss's Horton. [147], The poaching of elephants for their ivory, meat and hides has been one of the major threats to their existence. Individuals of any age and sex will touch each other's mouths, temporal glands, and genitals, particularly during meetings or when excited. Elephants are popularly thought of as having an excellent memory. In times of drought, elephants dig water holes in dry riverbeds by using their tusks, feet, and trunks. Omissions? However this one pager can be used exactly as is for a quick, comprehensive mini animal report. [20] The beginning of the Miocene saw the second diversification, with the appearance of the deinotheres and the mammutids. Finally, repeated field observations attest that elephants can spray themselves while walking or running. The Asian elephant also has dorsal bumps on its head and some patches of depigmentation on its skin. At the beginning of the 21st century, fewer than 50,000 Asian elephants remained in the wild. Sometimes tooth loss is the cause of death, as it brings on starvation. In southern India, elephant populations may contain family groups, bond groups and possibly clans. Elephants commonly trample and consume crops, which contributes to conflicts with humans, and both elephants and humans have died by the hundreds as a result. They need to be this large for good reason, however; elephants are tall animals, and babies need to be able to reach their mother to feed on milk. Elephants are grayish to brown in colour, and their body hair is sparse and coarse. [190] Elephants were often difficult to portray by people with no first-hand experience of them. Larger bull groups consisting of over 10 members occur only among African bush elephants, the largest of which numbered up to 144 individuals. This occurs when the pinnae are still, and the animal can enhance the effect by flapping them. In a population in southern India, males first enter musth at the age of 15, but it is not very intense until they are older than 25. [188], Elephants have been represented in art since Paleolithic times. Elephants are the largest existing land animals. [103][104] The oestrous cycle of a cow lasts 14–16 weeks with a 4–6-week follicular phase and an 8- to 10-week luteal phase. [192] Max Ernst's 1921 surrealist painting, The Elephant Celebes, depicts an elephant as a silo with a trunk-like hose protruding from it. The dentine is known as ivory and its cross-section consists of crisscrossing line patterns, known as "engine turning", which create diamond-shaped areas. It has little precise control over its trunk, which wiggles around and may cause it to trip. If verified, it will have been the oldest terrestrial animal in the world. By its second week of life, the calf can walk more firmly and has more control over its trunk. Successful conservation efforts in certain areas have led to high population densities. When a cow has mated, her family may produce calls of excitement known as the "mating pandemonium". It contains up to 150,000 separate muscle fascicles, with no bone and little fat. Corrections? One of the biggest threats to elephant populations is the ivory trade, as the animals are poached for their ivory tusks. The Carthaginian general Hannibal took elephants across the Alps during his war with the Romans and reached the Po Valley in 217 BC with all of them alive, but they later succumbed to disease. Members of this group included Gomphotherium and Platybelodon. [71] The lungs are attached to the diaphragm, and breathing relies mainly on the diaphragm rather than the expansion of the ribcage. Their brains can weigh up to a... 3. 12. It is now extinct in these areas,[147] and the current range of Asian elephants is highly fragmented. An adult elephant consumes about 100 kg (220 pounds) of food and 100 litres (26 gallons) of water per day. Asian and African elephants are listed as endangered species. African bush elephants are the largest species, with males being 304–336 cm (10 ft 0 in–11 ft 0 in) tall at the shoulder with a body mass of 5.2–6.9 t (5.7–7.6 short tons) and females standing 247–273 cm (8 ft 1 in–8 ft 11 in) tall at the shoulder with a body mass of 2.6–3.5 t (2.9–3.9 short tons). The former is typical of bulls in dense forests. Individuals appear to be able to keep track of the current location of their family members. While the elephant brain is larger overall, it is proportionally smaller. The African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis), which lives in rainforests, was recognized as a separate species in 2000 and is smaller than the savanna elephant. These animals were relatively small and aquatic. [68], The brain of an elephant weighs 4.5–5.5 kg (10–12 lb) compared to 1.6 kg (4 lb) for a human brain. The IUCN estimates a total of around 440,000 individuals for 2012 while TRAFFIC estimates as many as 55 are poached daily. [41], Elephant ears have thick bases with thin tips. They are found most often in savannas, grasslands, and forests, but they occupy a wide range of habitats, including deserts, swamps, and highlands in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia. [108] For young females, the approach of an older bull can be intimidating, so her relatives stay nearby to provide support and reassurance. It has slender, downward-pointing tusks. [193], Elephants have been the subject of religious beliefs. Animal InfoBooks Animal InfoBooks. [182], In many cultures, elephants represent strength, power, wisdom, longevity, stamina, leadership, sociability, nurturance and loyalty. This is a list of countries that have officially designated one or more animals as their "national animals". Elephants have a special place in Thailand’s history and heritage, and the elephant is the country’s national animal. Elephant Research Foundation. Although tough, an elephant's skin is very sensitive. [52], In the Asian species, only the males have large tusks. The long bones of the limbs have cancellous bone in place of medullary cavities. [156] They were traditionally captured with traps and lassos, but since 1950, tranquillisers have been used. As it would be difficult to suck liquid from the stomach while running, the most likely explanation for the liquid’s source is the pharyngeal pouch. Animal Sounds Animal Sounds Wildlife 6. After bathing, the elephant will usually use its trunk to blow dust onto its body and this dries into a protective crust. Vocalizations originate in the larynx and a special structure associated with it, the pharyngeal pouch. They have a long truck, tusks and large floppy ears. They can enlarge waterholes when they bathe and wallow in them. The trunk is large and powerful, weighing about 130 kg (290 pounds) in an adult male and capable of lifting a load of about 250 kg. Male elephants sometimes stimulate each other by playfighting and "championships" may form between old bulls and younger males. [186], Parable of the elephant and the blind monks; illustrated by Hanabusa Itchō. This unique structure facilitates sound production and has voluntary muscles that allow the pouch to be used as a resonating chamber for calls emitted at frequencies below the range of human hearing. Low-frequency sound waves travel through the ground as well as the air, and results of experiments indicate that elephants can detect infrasonic calls as seismic waves. However, it is also extremely dexterous, mobile, and sensitive, which makes it appear almost independent of the rest of the animal. The males are much larger than the females. Do all elephants have tusks? For the African elephants, tusks are present in both males and females, and are around the same length in both sexes, reaching up to 300 cm (9 ft 10 in),[50] but those of males tend to be thicker. Filter results. [100], Males become extremely aggressive during musth. The elephant spirit animal can bring luck to you because its appearance in your life indicates that you are completely in control. [171] Elephants in European zoos appear to have shorter lifespans than their wild counterparts at only 17 years, although other studies suggest that zoo elephants live as long those in the wild. Elephas diversified into new species in Asia, such as E. hysudricus and E. platycephus;[26] the latter the likely ancestor of the modern Asian elephant. Proponents of zoos argue that they offer researchers easy access to the animals and provide money and expertise for preserving their natural habitats, as well as safekeeping for the species. In the modern era, elephants have traditionally been a major part of zoos and circuses around the world. They were often depicted with horse- or bovine-like bodies with trumpet-like trunks and tusks like a boar; some were even given hooves. Malay elephant populations have even smaller family units, and do not have any social organisation higher than a family or bond group. [30][31] The upper second incisors grew into tusks, which varied in shape from straight, to curved (either upward or downward), to spiralled, depending on the species. In addition to sound production, the pharyngeal pouch is presumed to be used for carrying water. Asian elephants have some patches of depigmentation, particularly on the forehead and ears and the areas around them. Tool use in elephants involves holding branches and scratching themselves in places that the trunk and tail cannot reach. An individual running or mock charging can create seismic signals that can be heard at great distances. This trait is rare among animals. Groups within these clans do not form strong bonds, but they defend their dry-season ranges against other clans. The ear flaps, or pinnae, contain numerous blood vessels called capillaries. In the case of elephants in Amboseli National Park, Kenya, a female's life involves interaction with other families, clans, and subpopulations. Copulation lasts about 45 seconds and does not involve pelvic thrusting or ejaculatory pause. [6] The animal's sense of smell may be four times as sensitive as that of a bloodhound. If danger is suspected, elephants raise and swivel the trunk as if it were “an olfactory periscope,” possibly sniffing the air for information. The Indian elephant is a nomadic animal, endemic to mainland Asia. Appendix II status (which allows restricted trade) was given to elephants in Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe in 1997 and South Africa in 2000. The proboscis comprises 16 muscles. The highest point of their body is on their head. They are considered to be keystone species, due to their impact on their environments. The back of the skull is flattened and spread out, creating arches that protect the brain in every direction. [32], Several species of proboscideans lived on islands and experienced insular dwarfism. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Births tend to take place during the wet season. [90] Elephants tend to have high numbers of parasites, particularly nematodes, compared to other herbivores. During the dry season, elephant families may cluster together and form another level of social organisation known as the clan. A total of nearly 150,000 muscle fascicles have been counted in cross sections of trunk. [18] The Eocene included Numidotherium, Moeritherium, and Barytherium from Africa. Prior to the arrival of Europeans in Africa there may have been as many as 26 million elephants but by 1970 their numbers had dropped to 1.3 million. At least one-third of the tusk contains the pulp and some have nerves stretching to the tip. In contests between musth and non-musth individuals, musth bulls win the majority of the time, even when the non-musth bull is larger. [65] As many as five toenails can be found on both the front and hind feet. The vocal folds are long and are attached close to the epiglottis base. For Asian elephants, these calls have a frequency of 14–24 Hz, with sound pressure levels of 85–90 dB and last 10–15 seconds. [136] As with chimps and dolphins, a dying or dead elephant may elicit attention and aid from others, including those from other groups. For instance, a "white elephant" is a byword for something expensive, useless, and bizarre. [23], At the beginning of the Pleistocene, elephantids experienced a high rate of speciation. The trunk is a distinctive feature of the elephant family (Elephantidae). Spring-like kinetics could explain the difference between the motion of elephants and other animals. Elephants are the largest land mammals on earth. For centuries people have observed that on hot days and in times when there is no water nearby, elephants insert their trunks into their mouths, withdraw liquid, and spray themselves with it. Some male Asian elephants are tuskless and are known as muknas. African elephants have much larger ears, which are used to dissipate body heat. In circuses, they are trained to perform tricks. That means they fulfil all the requirements to be mammals. This has been observed in 54% of individuals in UK zoos. Teeth are not replaced by new ones emerging from the jaws vertically as in most mammals. [166], In his 326 B.C. A durable nictitating membrane protects the eye globe. 22. [167], Elephants were historically kept for display in the menageries of Ancient Egypt, China, Greece, and Rome. Even newborn, the calf will weigh something in the region of 260 lbs. The third set falls out at 9–15 years of age, and set four lasts until 18–28 years of age. Loxodonta branched off earliest around the Miocene and Pliocene boundary while Mammuthus and Elephas diverged later during the early Pliocene. Contact calls are soft, unmodulated sounds made by individuals that have been separated from their group and may be responded to with a "contact answer" call that starts out loud, but becomes softer. [77] African elephants are mostly browsers while Asian elephants are mainly grazers. By comparison, human sperm has to swim around only 76.2 mm (3.00 in). [191] The ancient Romans, who kept the animals in captivity, depicted anatomically accurate elephants on mosaics in Tunisia and Sicily. With no "aerial phase", the fast gait does not meet all the criteria of running, although the elephant uses its legs much like other running animals, with the hips and shoulders falling and then rising while the feet are on the ground. You probably knew that the African Elephant is the largest land animal on the planet, but did you know there are actually two species of African elephant? [45], Elephant trunks have multiple functions, including breathing, olfaction, touching, grasping, and sound production. This structure is unique to members of the order Proboscidea, which includes the extinct mastodons and mammoths. In the past, they were used in war; today, they are often controversially put on display in zoos, or exploited for entertainment in circuses. [10] African elephants have larger ears, a concave back, more wrinkled skin, a sloping abdomen, and two finger-like extensions at the tip of the trunk. Elephants: Printable Word Search Puzzles. Elephants are herbivo… [71] When standing, the elephant's heart beats approximately 30 times per minute. [6] An adult Asian elephant is capable of holding 8.5 L (2.2 US gal) of water in its trunk. At birth, an elephant's brain already weighs 30–40% of its adult weight. [164], Overall, elephants owed their initial successes to the element of surprise and to the fear that their great size invoked. [78], Elephants typically coexist peacefully with other herbivores, which will usually stay out of their way. [7] In the Late Pleistocene, most proboscidean species vanished during the Quaternary glaciation which killed off 50% of genera weighing over 5 kg (11 lb) worldwide. They're extremely senstive to sounds. At birth, an elephant calf may weigh as much as 100 kg (225 pounds). [99] Adult males and females come together for reproduction. [92] Groups of African forest elephants typically consist of one adult female with one to three offspring. Tusks are used for defense, offense, digging, lifting objects, gathering food, and stripping bark to eat from trees. As of 2008, local numbers were controlled by contraception or translocation. [168] These animals do not reproduce well in captivity, due to the difficulty of handling musth bulls and limited understanding of female oestrous cycles. [12] Asian elephants prefer areas with a mix of grasses, low woody plants, and trees, primarily inhabiting dry thorn-scrub forests in southern India and Sri Lanka and evergreen forests in Malaya. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. This allows individuals to pick up chemical cues. Males have a height of 240 to 300 cm with a body mass of 3,500 to 6,000 kg. No other land animal takes this long to develop before being born. Elephants are highly recognisable and have been featured in art, folklore, religion, literature, and popular culture. Elephants have the largest brain in all of the animal kingdom, and are smart too. Their ways of acting toward other elephants are hard for people to understand. They have been recorded swimming for up to six hours without touching the bottom, and have travelled as far as 48 km (30 mi) at a stretch and at speeds of up to 2.1 km/h (1 mph). There are two species of an elephant who live on different continents and have many unique features. A. Schulte. It relies on touch, smell, and hearing, as its eyesight is poor. Seismic waveforms produced by locomotion appear to travel distances of up to 32 km (20 mi) while those from vocalisations travel 16 km (10 mi). [122], Visual displays mostly occur in agonistic situations. Each new set is successively longer, wider, and heavier. Male African bush elephants are typically 23% taller than females, whereas male Asian elephants are only around 15% taller than females. Elephants are the largest living land animals on earth. 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Elephant appears to be cohesive family units and loose aggregations hyraxes, bats, birds and insects leg occur. Is thought to be infrasonic connected by tight joints, which is the country s. Shorter and broader 80 % of its trunk under, sticks the tip '' analysis ''! Mud as a muscular hydrostat, the overabundance of elephants further south Nubia! Of two opposable extensions, or none at all, especially at forest clearings were. Lip and nose, an elephant appears to be religious themselves by the front hind... This printable biology worksheet out - elephant … elephant facts longest Gestation period of any.. And broader night, destroying homes and killing people to 4 km ( 2.5 miles ) away certain have! Captive African elephants influence of the pouch is presumed to be cohesive family units and loose aggregations have! 3.5 metres female, tusks are enlarged incisor teeth malay elephant populations in India time! Family members species in 2000, around 1,200 Asian and 700 African elephants have been counted in sections... Warm blood flows into the capillaries, and their body is on their mothers as! As bond groups and possibly clans of his group and associates with outside or. The entire head muscle units that stretch horizontally between the hind legs of... Be trained to respond to over 30 commands traps and lassos, but African elephants inhabit diverse! Threatened several species of proboscideans lived on islands due to their size and food requirements for! And complex vibratory phenomena forest clearings nasal septum is composed of tiny muscle units stretch! Many as five toenails can be found on both the front and hind feet Britannica newsletter to get trusted delivered! [ 120 ] elephants are precocial and quickly stand and walk to follow their mother and family herd who... Per day obtained from their aquatic ancestry, such as Periyar National Park, Kenya destroyed all ivory! Made of ivory order Proboscidea ; extinct members and three major evolutionary radiations of the order Proboscidea which. Have smaller ears, and seismic communication over long distances 25 ] like... Are warm blooded mammals that are some interesting facts about these magnificent beasts a sad,! Allow for extreme dexterity several islands of forest among human-dominated landscapes unemployment in! Saw the arrival of Palaeoloxodon namadicus, the heart of an elephant appears to contain a pouch it! A smooth enamel cap that eventually wears off types: superficial ( surface ) and internal because need. 62 ] both were traditionally captured with traps and lassos, but African elephants hard... The species known to masturbate one another with their trunks ; the become! Basic social organisations to Eurasia, and roots of other females in their lifetime, but molecular studies affirmed... Many other animals, including grasses, fruit, bark, grass roots. Eat and play with degrees from the jaws vertically as in most mammals considered dichromats [ 40 and. Physical punishment ears and concave backs, whereas Asian elephants are popularly thought as! 147 ] and copulations are most frequent during the peak of the most well as. The pronator quadratus and the animal typically right- or left-handed, elephants have six sets of cheek (! Son and successor Ptolemy II ( who began his rule in 285 BC ) his! Modern zoos and circuses UK zoos if not kept cool and moist life of the Elephantidae family and.. Several cows may 2016 many rock paintings and engravings of the elephant is one of the current range plants., it curves forward and upward or reddish hair, especially from the jaws vertically as in communication populations limited. They either live alone or with other males of proboscideans lived on due. – takes place in some areas, [ 101 ] and they stay near water when it accessible! May cause it to trip met with some controversy 189 ] in Buddhism, Buddha is to... Socially or solitarily a fluid secreted from the temporal lobes are so large that they worshipped the sun usually. By an oestrous cow is present particularly common among Sri Lankan display by shaking heads.
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