African elephants are the largest land animals on Earth. They are slightly larger than their Asian cousins and can be identified by their larger ears that look like the continent of Africa. The scientific name for African elephants is Loxodonta, and they belong to the Mammalia class.
Physical Traits
African elephants have a thick gray skin and long tusks made of ivory. They have four molars, each weighing about 11 pounds and measuring about 12 inches long. African elephants also have a trunk which is used for communication, drinking water, grasping objects, and dusting themselves off.
Life Span
The average life span of an African elephant is 60-70 years in the wild and 80-90 years in captivity.
Habitat
African elephants live in savannas, grasslands, woodlands, forests, and marshes across 37 countries in Africa. They prefer areas with plenty of water sources such as rivers or lakes.
Diet
African elephants are herbivores that eat grasses, leaves, bark, fruits, roots, and flowers. They consume up to 300 pounds of food per day!
Reproduction
Female African elephants reach sexual maturity at around 10-12 years old while males reach sexual maturity at around 15-18 years old. Gestation period lasts 22 months and usually results in one calf being born. The calf will stay with its mother until it reaches adulthood at around 15 years old.
Conservation Status
The African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to illegal killing to feed the ivory trade between 2007 and 2016 alone resulting in a population decline of more than 86%. The African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana) is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss from human activities such as deforestation for agriculture or mining operations as well as poaching for ivory or meat consumption.
Interesting Facts
- An adult African elephant can drink up to 50 gallons of water per day!
- Elephants use their trunks to communicate with each other through sound vibrations called “rumbles” which can travel up to 5 miles away!
- Elephants have an excellent memory – they never forget a face!
Sources:
- https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/african-elephant
- https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/7140/50331916#assessment-information – https://wwf.panda.org/discover/knowledge_hub/endangered_species/elephants/african_elephants
