African Elephant

Loxodonta africana

Order: Proboscidea

Family: Elephantidae

Genus: Loxodonta

Distribution: Africa

Endangered category: Vulnerable Species (VU), CITES

Appendix II

It is also known as African bush elephant and one of the “Big Five Bullies” in Africa. Adult elephants are 6 to 7.5 m long. The shoulder height is 3 to 4 m. And they are about 2 to 8 tons. They are the largest and heaviest terrestrial mammals. Adult elephants are not afraid of threats from any animal. They are invincible on the African Savannah. They have big ears with sharp lower parts. Both male and female elephants have long and curved ivories. Common African elephants can live in many environments. They like dry savannas and bushes best. In order to adapt to the tropical savannas during the period of drought, they can move 5 to 13 km to find food and water each day. They can even make long distance great migration. They live in groups on the family basis and stick to strict hierarchy, with female elephants the leader. Male elephants often live alone.