The African species is much larger than the Asian species and is considered the biggest land mammal. Male African Elephants can grow up to 3.5 meters in height at the shoulder and can weigh more than six tons. The elephant's ivory tusks and prehensile trunk are its distinguishing features. Tusks are the upper incisor teeth and have been known to grow to lengths of two or three meters.
Elephants also have enormous ears which they use as cooling devices.
The huge earflap which can measure up to two meters is equipped with an intricate flow of blood vessels. The African Forest Elephant can be distinguished from the Savannah Elephant by its smaller body size, smaller ears, and it's straighter, downward pointing tusks. Most Forest Elephants live in central and western Africa's equatorial forests while the Savannah Elephant is found throughout the grassy plains and bushlands of the continent. African elephants usually live in small family groups containing between five and fifteen mothers and their young and are led by the oldest and most experienced female. Female offspring stay with the family group even after reaching maturity while males leave the family at puberty to form temporary, all male groups.