African elephant: the world's largest elephant

Diuna, Mousse and Noah belong to the largest land mammal species in the world, the African savannah elephant! There are currently 3 species of elephants. In Africa there are two distinct species; the African savannah elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) and the African savannah elephant (Loxodonta adricana). Until 2018 they were thought to be one and the same species.
 

These 3 giants are easily distinguishable

1. Asian elephant
   - Endangered
   - Habitat: forests
   - Small ears
   - Tusk only present in males
2. African savannah elephant 
   - Endangered
   - Habitat: savannah and desert
   - Large ears shaped like the African continent
   - Long curved tusks, present in both gender
3. African Forest Elephant 
   - Critically endangered
   - Habitat: forests
   - Large ears shaped like the African continent
   - Darker colour than African savanna
   - Long straight tusks, present in both sexes

Curiosities
Elephants have a life expectancy of 70 years and sleep very little, between 2 and 4 hours a day.

An animal in danger of extinction
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the African elephant is listed as Endangered. It is estimated that there are around 415,000 of the two African species in the world.

Why they are in danger
Poaching is the biggest problem facing these elephant animals, as they are killed for their ivory tusks and meat. this is compounded by habitat loss and fragmentation, causing herds to move to more remote locations in an attempt to get the food they need to survive. Another factor that has been made of them for tourism or recreational activities.

Elephants "talk" to footsteps
It is posible for elephants to monitor vibrations in the fround through treir bodies. They can also bee used to warn each other of danger, etc.

They're not wrinkles, they're cracks
An elephant's skin is very sensitive and their cracks help them control their body temperature.

Almost 2 years waiting!
the pregnancy and gestation of an elephant can last almost 22 months, one of the longest processes in the animal kingdom.

If you would like to collaborate in helping elephants, find out more: www.savetheelephants.org