Q How are African elephants different
from Asian elephants?
A African elephants are larger and have
less hair. They have bigger, fan-shaped ears.
Both male and female African elephants have
tusks. In contrast, Asian elephants have lowerhanging
ears and only the male members
have tusks. The savannah
elephant is light grey,
while forest and Asian
elephants have dark
grey skin.
Q How do
elephants use their trunks?
A The elephant’s trunk is a combination
of its nose and upper lip. The elephant uses
its long, flexible trunk to grasp objects, pluck
leaves, break off branches and carry heavy
objects like logs. While strong, the trunk is
also very sensitive. Small, finger-like
projections at the end help elephants to pick
up small objects. The trunk is also used to
suck in water for drinking or to spray water
over the body for bathing. Elephants
pick up dust with their trunks in
the same way when they want to
have a dust bath. When lying in
water, the elephant sticks its trunk
out to breathe. Elephants use the
nostrils at the tip of the trunk to
capture the scent in the air.
The trunk is then placed in
their mouth, where special
organs identify the scent.
Elephants
Elephants are the world’s largest land animals. They are divided
into three different species – savannah, forest and Asian
elephants. Savannah and forest elephants are together known
as African elephants.
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Quick Q’s:
1. Do the members of
a herd stick together?
The members of a
herd feed, bathe and
migrate together. They
usually stay very close
to the leader. They also
protect one another
from predators. The
young, sick and old are
especially well-defended
by the healthier
members. When faced
with danger, the head of
the herd leads the rest
away. When the leader
dies, the next oldest
female takes over.
2. Do elephants eat
a lot?
The elephant’s
digestive system is very
weak. It can digest
only 40 per cent of the
food it eats. It has to
make up by eating a
great deal. An adult
eats about 140–270
kilograms (300–600
pounds) of leaves and
grass every day.
3. How big are the
tusks of an African
elephant?
An African elephant’s
tusks are between
1.8–2.4 metres (6–8 feet)
in length and weigh
about 20–45 kilograms
(50–100 pounds).
Those of an Asian
male are only about
1.5 metres (5 feet)
in length and weigh
about 30 kilograms
(70 pounds).
Big pet
Asian elephants have
been domesticated by
people for centuries.
Tragic tusks
Elephants have often
been hunted for their
precious ivory tusks.
Moving in a herd
A herd of African elephants moves towards a watering
hole. Note how the young members of the herd are
surrounded by older and stronger members for
protection. Elephant herds are led by the oldest female.
The Living Planet
Q Are the elephant’s tusks really teeth?
A The tusks of an elephant are simply
elongated incisor teeth. A calf is born with a
pair of incisors that are replaced within 6 to
12 months. The second set grows into tusks.
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