The largest living land animals are the elephants. Adult Indian male elephants average about four tons in weight and nine feet in height. The tallest reach 11 feet.
African males are somewhat taller.
They reach 12 feet in rare cases, though they are no heavier than the Indian elephants. The average female of either species is about a foot shorter than the male. The great size of elephants and the thickness and toughness of their skins protect them from every other wild animal. Since they have no enemies to fear except man, elephants are usually peaceful and easygoing. They show great affection for one another and spend their lives as members of a family herd.