- Lifespan 60 years
- Gestation 22 months with 8-9 year intervals
- Herbivore
- Endangered
- A group of elephants is called a herd
- Closest relatives are hyraxes
- Matriarchy
- Long-term memory is excellent
- Heart beats ±30 beats per minute
- Largest brain of any land mammal
African Savannah Elephant (Loxodonta africana africana)
African savannah elephants make for a unforgettable safari experience. Whether they are crossing right in-front of you or the young are playing together, these gentle giants are always fascinating to watch.
Elephants do not sweat. Therefore, large ears have evolved to increase the body surface area and thus, acting as a cooling mechanism while the elephant flaps its ears. Warm blood cools as it circulates through the vessels in the ears and the cooled blood then circulates back into the body. This reduces overall body temperature.
The trunk is an extension of the upper lip and nose. It is extremely flexible and strong because, it consists of ±40,000 muscles. An elephant’s trunk has many uses, including breathing and smelling, grasping and lifting, feeding and drinking (the trunk can hold ±8-12 litres of water), touch and communication, for defence and protection, and dust bathing.
African elephants are admired for their strong maternal instincts. They are extremely protective when a new calf is born and the whole herd will help look after the newborn. The female elephants (mothers, aunts, sisters, and the matriarch) develop strong, intimate bonds with each other. Allomothering is important for young females to learn how to look after calves before they have their own. Family is indeed everything for elephants.
