Elephant

The Elephant is the largest of all land animals. There are three living species of elephant, and all of them are currently recognised: the African bush elephant (Loxodonta Africana), the African forest elephant (Loxodonta Cyclotis), and the Asian elephant (Elephas Maximus). They are the only surviving members of the family Elephantidae and the order Proboscidea (which includes other extinct species such as the Mammoth, the Mastodon and the Straight tusked elephants, belonging to the genus Palaeoloxodon). Distinctive features of elephants include a long proboscis called a trunk, tusks, large ear flaps, pillar-like legs, and tough but sensitive grey skin. The trunk is prehensile, bringing food and water to the mouth and grasping objects. Tusks, which are derived from the incisor teeth, serve both as weapons and as tools for moving objects and digging. The large ear flaps assist in maintaining a constant body temperature as well as in communication. African elephants have larger ears and a concave back, whereas the Asian elephant has smaller ears and a convex or level back. Elephants are scattered throughout sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia and are found in different habitats, including savannahs, rainforests, deserts, and marshes. They are herbivorous, and they stay near water when it is accessible. They are considered to be keystone species, due to their impact on their environments. Elephants have a fission–fusion society, in which multiple family groups come together to socialise. Females (cows) tend to live in family groups, which can consist of one female with her calves or several related females with offspring. The leader of a female group, usually the oldest cow, is known as the matriarch.
Category:Mammals
Category:Afrotherians
Category:Africa
Category:Asia