Skin A n African elephant's skin is rough and wrinkled, while Asian elephants have smoother skin. Elephants are pretty much hairless except for scattered long, stiff hairs and a long tail tuft.
Most mammals have sebaceous glands which soften and lubricate the hair and skin.
Such thick skin helps protect them from blistering sun. Wallowing in mud and showering with dust offers further protection from sunburn and insect bites. Beneath the grime is a dull brownish gray skin. A n African elephant's ears may measure five feet from top to bottom. The right ear is shaped somewhat like the African continent.