Elephant
Loxodonta / Elephas
- Where
- Africa and Asia
- Habitat
- Savannas, forests, and grasslands near water
- Diet
- Herbivore — grasses, leaves, bark, fruit
- Size
- Largest land animal; African males can weigh over 6 tons
- Lifespan
- Often 60–70 years
- Conservation
- Vulnerable to endangered depending on species — ivory poaching and habitat loss remain serious.
Fun Facts
- Elephants use their trunks like a hand — for drinking, smelling, and greeting friends.
- They can remember watering holes and migration paths for decades.
- Baby elephants are called calves and stay close to the herd.
Learn More
There are African and Asian elephants. African elephants usually have larger ears shaped a bit like the continent of Africa.
Elephants live in family groups led by older females (matriarchs). Young males eventually leave to form bachelor groups.
They are ecosystem engineers: they create paths, spread seeds in dung, and dig water holes other animals use.
Elephants communicate with rumbles, trumpets, and even low sounds humans cannot hear well.