The African Elephants (African Loxodonta) are the largest terrestrial mammals. They are about eight meters long, four meters high and an impressive seven tons of mass. The incredible data, however, doesn't stop there. How about knowing more about this wonderful species?
→ Main features
African elephants are animals with a normally gray color and very thick skin with few hairs. They have a very heavy body, which rests on thick legs and wide feet. They have large tusks in the upper jaw, which grow throughout the animal's life and are called ivory.
One of the most striking features of the African elephant is the presence of the trunk. This long and flexible structure can weigh up to 200 kg and helps the animal to smell and hold objects. It is also through the trunk that he is able to catch food and bring water to his mouth. Their ears are also impressive, reaching up to half the animal's height.
The elephant is the largest terrestrial mammal on the planet.
→ Habitat and life habits
African elephants are distributed across the African continent, being found in areas of forests, grasslands, savannas and deserts. They are animals that live in groups, which are led by the oldest female. They are active during the day and communicate by low frequency sounds.
These animals are herbivoreyou and eat 70 to 150 kg of food daily. His favorite food are acacias, plants that stand out for the presence of large thorns.
→ Elephant reproduction
The elephant's sexual maturity is reached when they are between 8 and 12 years old. The elephant's gestation, as well as its other characteristics, is also impressive, since the female spends almost two years bearing her young (22 months). When it is born, a baby elephant is already 115 kg and measures, on average, 100 cm in height. Despite its size, the new elephant is protected by other females in the group.
→ Life expectancy
African elephants are among the longest-lived animals on the planet. In the wild, this mammal lives an average of 56 years. Unfortunately, in captivity, elephants live only 17 years.
→ predatory hunting
Poaching is one of the biggest threats to the African elephant. In many places, these animals are killed for the ivory and sale in commerce, which is illegal.
Hunting is decreasing more and more the number of species in Africa. The African elephant is already close to the planet's sad list of extinct animals. Elephants are currently classified as vulnerable on the endangered species list.
Curiosity:Did you know there are two species of elephant on the planet? In addition to the African elephant, there is the Asian elephant (Elephans Maximus). Both belong to the Elephantidae family.
By Ma. Vanessa dos Santos
