Everything you need to know about elephants, the largest land animals

Elephants are some of the most interesting animals on Earth. With their characteristic trunk, large ears, thick legs, there is no other animal that resembles them.

Many experts state that there are two species of elephants: the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) and the African elephant (Loxodonta africana), which live on separate continents and have many unique features.

There are several subspecies that belong to one or the other of the two main species, although experts have not agreed on the number of subspecies and whether they may actually be separate species.

Differences between African elephants and Asian elephants

African elephants live in sub-Saharan Africa, in the forests of Central and West Africa, and in the Sahel desert of Mali. Asian elephants live in Nepal, India and Southeast Asia, usually in tropical forests.

African elephants are bigger. They are 2.5-4 meters tall at the shoulders and weigh between 2,268 and 6,350 kilograms. Asian elephants are only slightly smaller, standing 2-3 meters tall at the shoulders and weighing between 2,041 and 4,900 kilograms. In the wild, African elephants can live up to 70 years, and Asian elephants up to 60 years.

There are also physical differences between the two species. African elephant ears are larger and resemble the shape of the African continent, while Asian elephants have smaller and rounder ears.

African elephants have large tusks and two "fingers" on their trunks, which help them grasp objects. Asian elephants have only one "toe". Male Asian elephants will normally have large tusks, while females and other males have much smaller tusks.

These tusks are teeth that have evolved to help the elephant dig, lift, gather food and defense while also protecting the trunk. In the same way that humans are right-handed or left-handed, elephants can be the same, but in terms of tusks. The dominant corner is easy to identify, because it will be more damaged than the other.

Both species consume all types of vegetation, including a variety of grasses, fruits, leaves, bark and roots. They spend 16 hours a day eating, consuming 75-150 kilograms a day.

The life of elephants

Elephant groups (or herds) have a matriarchal structure with the oldest female in charge. They are mainly composed of young female and male members. A herd has 6-20 elephants, depending on the food source. When the family becomes large, the herds separate into smaller groups that will remain in the region.

The female leading the group relies on experience and memory to navigate to the best sources of food, water and safe places. She is also responsible for teaching the younger members of her family how to socialize with other elephants.

Elephants are highly social and can communicate with each other and identify other elephants from distances of up to 3 kilometers using sounds of a frequency too high for humans to hear.

They are mannered when they meet members of their group or another. For example, they use the trunk to greet, either by holding their ai or by touching another elephant's mouth with the tip of the trumpet.

They are also attentive to the health of member elephants, protecting the weak and sick. They are considered very intelligent and empathetic animals.

The next generation

Elephants become sexually mature at 8-13 years. Male elephants will leave the herd when they are able to find food and protect themselves. Adult males live alone or in small bachelor groups.

Females will have cubs in their teens, and males will not father a cub until they are in their 30s, when they are big and strong enough to compete with other males.

Usually only one cub is born after a pregnancy lasting 22 months. A newborn weighs 70-160 kilograms and is about one meter tall.

Classification / Taxonomy

All elephants are mammals that belong to the Elephantidae family. There are two subspecies of the African elephant: the savannah elephant (Loxodonta africana) and the forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis). However forest elephants may actually be a different species and not a subspecies.

There are three subspecies of the Asian elephant: the Indian elephant (Elephas maximus indicus), the Sri Lankan elephant (Elephas maximus maximus) and the Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus). Another possible subspecies is Elephas maximus borneensis. WWF has determined that genetic evidence suggests they are different from Asian elephants.

Curing

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) has classified African elephants as threatened. It is not known which of them are left, but experts believe that the population is declining.

The African elephant is considered vulnerable, but the population is growing. According to the African Wildlife Foundation, there are approximately 415,000 African elephants.

Threats facing both species include poaching and habitat loss.