Elephant
The elephant is the largest land animal on Earth. Its massive body, long trunk, and large ears make it a true symbol of strength, wisdom, and grace. These giants impress not only with their size but also with their high level of intelligence and strong social bonds.
There are two main species of elephants:
- The African elephant (Loxodonta africana) lives in the savannas and forests of Africa.
- The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) is found in the jungles of India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and other South Asian countries.
An elephant’s shoulder height ranges from 2.5 to 3.5 meters, and body length can reach 4 to 4.5 meters. Their weight is typically up to 5 tons, sometimes as much as 7.5 tons. Females are smaller than males. The African elephant is larger than the Asian elephant.
The elephant’s trunk is a unique organ composed of over 40,000 muscles. Elephants use it for breathing, drinking, grasping objects, feeding themselves, and communicating with other elephants.
Elephants have phenomenal memory. They can remember places, faces, and even emotional experiences for many years. This is why the phrase “an elephant never forgets” exists.
These animals actively communicate with one another using infrasound — sounds at such low frequencies that they are inaudible to the human ear. This “invisible” communication allows them to transmit information over long distances.
The main threats to elephants are poaching (due to the ivory in their tusks) and habitat loss. Both elephant species are listed in the Red Book as endangered, and their populations continue to decline.
P.S. Image attribution: Image by Sasin Tipchai from Pixabay