Elephant Facts
Elephant Facts
Looking for elephant facts? We’ve got ’em!
There are 3 recognized species of elephants – African, Asian and Forest. These species live in various countries and regions around the world. They are the largest land mammals in the world and the only land mammal that can’t jump!
The elephant is a distant relative to mastodons, mammoths, gomphotheres and deinotheres. Some of their most noticeable characteristics include their long trunks (proboscis), enlarged incisors that grow into tusks and large ear flaps.
While elephants prefer to stay close to water, they can be found in forests, marshes, deserts and savannahs. They keep a diet that is herbivorous and generally coexist peacefully with other herbivorous animals.
Elephants don’t tend to have natural predators; however, lions, tigers, hyenas and other wild dogs may prey on elephant calves.
African Elephant Facts
There are two species of African elephant – the African Forest elephant and African Bush elephant. African Bush elephants are the largest living terrestrial animal, while African Forest elephants are the third largest. Males stand at up to 4 meters high and weigh up to 6,000 kg, and females may stand up to 2.6 meters and weigh up to 3,300 kg.
Asian Elephant Facts
Asian elephants are found throughout Asia, from India to Borneo. There are 3 subspecies which are found in Sri Lanka, Sumatra and Mainland Asia. Asian elephants are the largest land mammal found in Asia.
Famous Quotes About Elephants:
“The question is, are we happy to suppose that our grandchildren may never be able to see an elephant except in a picture book?” – David Attenborough
“Nature’s great masterpiece, an elephant; the only harmless great thing.” – John Donne
“They say that somewhere in Africa the elephants have a secret grave where they go to lie down, unburden their wrinkled gray bodies, and soar away, light spirits at the end.” – Robert McCammon, Boy’s Life
