African elephants are the largest of all the land mammals. There are two species or variations that live within the continent - the the Savannah or bush elephant, and the forest elephant. The Savannah elephants are slightly larger than their forest kin and their tusks curve in an outward direction away from their bodies.
Forest elephants meanwhile are slightly smaller and darker in colour. This tends to reflect the habitat in which they live as their smaller size makes it easier to negotiate the forest regions. They have smaller tusks that point down and oval shaped ears. The two also see slight differences in the shape and size of their skulls and skeletons.
The main characteristic of the elephant to most people will be its trunk. The is used for a number of different purposed including communication, washing by sucking and spraying in water, and picking things up such as food. Whilst the Asian elephant only has one opening at the end of its trunk, the African variety has two.
The elephants tusks, another of their recognisable features, are simply long incisors modified for their uses that continue to grow throughout the elephants life. These are very useful for digging, feeding and fighting and appear on both males and females. A final notable feature that elephants have are their enormous ears that are very useful in radiating heat and keeping the animals cool in the baking temperatures.
Elephants remain under considerable threat from poachers who look to steal their ivory tusks to sell them on the black market. Whilst the ivory trade has declined since the overall ban on ivory in 1989 it still remains a significant issue and ivory still finds its way into foreign markets.
A threat to the species that is more long term is the reduction of their available habitat. This is mainly due to the expansion of human populations into their lands. For these reasons the African elephant is considered an endangered species and much is being done to guarantee the continuation of their way of life.
Forest elephants meanwhile are slightly smaller and darker in colour. This tends to reflect the habitat in which they live as their smaller size makes it easier to negotiate the forest regions. They have smaller tusks that point down and oval shaped ears. The two also see slight differences in the shape and size of their skulls and skeletons.
The main characteristic of the elephant to most people will be its trunk. The is used for a number of different purposed including communication, washing by sucking and spraying in water, and picking things up such as food. Whilst the Asian elephant only has one opening at the end of its trunk, the African variety has two.
The elephants tusks, another of their recognisable features, are simply long incisors modified for their uses that continue to grow throughout the elephants life. These are very useful for digging, feeding and fighting and appear on both males and females. A final notable feature that elephants have are their enormous ears that are very useful in radiating heat and keeping the animals cool in the baking temperatures.
Elephants remain under considerable threat from poachers who look to steal their ivory tusks to sell them on the black market. Whilst the ivory trade has declined since the overall ban on ivory in 1989 it still remains a significant issue and ivory still finds its way into foreign markets.
A threat to the species that is more long term is the reduction of their available habitat. This is mainly due to the expansion of human populations into their lands. For these reasons the African elephant is considered an endangered species and much is being done to guarantee the continuation of their way of life.
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To view much more information on these fascinating animals please visit Andrew Keets website devoted to elephants.
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