If the mass were not well distributed, the elephants would sink into most surfaces. Students will have had the experience of walking on a surface where their feet have sunk into the earth and become stuck. Film informs us that they weigh 5 tons. There are several close ups of the foot pads. This tiger weighs about 400 pounds.
Procedure Watch the Wild Indonesia video series.
Stop the tape occasionally and identify characteristics of various animals. Concentrate attention on adaptations that allow animals to survive in their environment. Examples are the hand-like feet of the monkeys, the tails that wrap around tree branches that act as extra hands, and coloration. Also note the types of land that various animals live in-swamps, seashores, dry land and rocks. Have students calculate the total surface area of the elephant foot touching the ground and the pounds of elephant that each square inch supports.