The elephant is the largest terrestrial mammal on the planet. Description and photo of animals

The elephant is the largest terrestrial mammal on Earth. These giants from early childhood cause us positive emotions. Most people think that elephants are smart and calm. And in many cultures the elephant is a symbol of happiness, peace and home comfort.

Types of elephants

Today there are three kinds of elephants on the planet that are related to two genera.

African elephants are divided into two types:

• The elephant is an animal of enormous size, with a dark color, well developed tusks and two small processes located at the end of the trunk. Inhabitants of this species live along the equator on the territory of the African continent;
• Forest elephant is relatively small growth (up to 2.5 m) and rounded shape of the ears. This species lives in the tropical forests of Africa. These species, by the way, are often crossed among themselves and give viable offspring.

The Indian elephant is much smaller than the African, but has a more powerful physique and disproportionately short legs. Color can be from dark gray to brown. These animals are distinguished by small ear cones of quadrangular shape and one process at the very end of the trunk. The Indian elephant is an animal that is widespread in the subtropical and tropical forests of China and India, Laos and Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh and Indonesia.

Description of the Elephant

Depending on the species, the growth of the elephant at the withers ranges from 2 to 4 meters. The weight of an elephant varies from 3 to 7 tons. African elephants (especially savannahs) sometimes weigh up to 12 tons. The powerful body of this giant is covered with thick skin (thickness up to 2.5 cm) gray or brown with deep wrinkles. Cubs of elephants are born with a rare coarse bristles, and adults have almost no vegetation.

The head of an elephant is large with large hanging ears, which have a rather large internal surface. At the base they are very thick, and closer to the edges - thin. Elephant ears are a regulator of heat exchange. By fanning them, the animal provides cooling of its own body.

An elephant is an animal with a rather specific voice. Sounds, which the adult publishes, are called boars, moo, whisper and roar. The life span of an elephant in nature is about 70 years. In captivity, this period can be increased by five to seven years.

Trunk

An elephant is an animal that has a unique organ. The proboscis reaches a length of about one and a half meters and its weight is about one hundred and fifty kilograms. This organ is formed by the nose and fused upper lip. More than 100 thousand muscles and tendons make it flexible and strong.

The ancestors of the elephants, who inhabited the Earth in the distant past, lived in swamps. They had a very small trunk, which allowed breathing an animal under water, during the production of feed. For millions of years of evolution, elephants left the swampy terrain, significantly increased in size, respectively, the elephant's trunk adapted to new conditions.

The trunk of the animal carries weights, tears juicy bananas from the palms and sends them into the mouth, draws water from the reservoirs and arranges a refreshing shower during the heat, makes trumpet loud noises, smells.

Surprisingly, the elephant's trunk is a multifunctional tool that little elephants are difficult to learn to use, often the young ones even step on their proboscis. Mommy elephants are very patient, for several months they teach their cubs the art of using this, so necessary "process".

Legs

A surprising fact, but the legs of an elephant have two kneecaps. Such an unusual structure made this giant the only mammal unable to jump. In the very center of the foot is a fat pad that springs at every step. Thanks to her, this powerful animal can move almost silently.

Tail

The elephant's tail is about the same length as the hind legs. At the very tip of the tail is a bunch of hard hair. With the help of such a brush the elephant drives away the insects.

Spread and lifestyle

African elephants have mastered virtually the entire territory of Africa: Senegal and Namibia, Zimbabwe and Kenya, the Republic of the Congo and Guinea, South Africa and the Sudan. They feel great in Somalia and Zambia. The majority of the population lives in national reserves: thus, African governments protect these animals from poachers.

The elephant can live on territories with any landscape, but the zone of deserts and dense rainforests tries to avoid, preferring them a savannah.

Indian elephants are mainly inhabited in the south and northeast of India, in China, Thailand, on the island of Sri Lanka. Animals are found in Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia. Unlike their African counterparts, they prefer a wooded area, choosing thick bushes and bamboo thickets.

Elephants live in herds, in which all individuals are related by kinship. These animals are able to greet each other, very touchingly take care of the offspring and never leave their group.

Another amazing feature of these huge animals - they know how to laugh. An elephant is an animal that, despite its size, is a good swimmer. Moreover, elephants love water procedures very much. By land, they move at an average speed (up to six kilometers per hour). While running for short distances, this figure increases to fifty kilometers per hour.

Eating elephants in nature

Researchers have calculated that about sixteen hours a day, elephants are dedicated to absorbing food. During this time they eat up to 300 kg of various vegetation. The elephant eats grass with pleasure (including papyrus, cattail in Africa), bark and leaves of trees (for example, ficus in India), rhizomes, fruits of wild apples, bananas, marula and even coffee. Do not avoid the elephants and agricultural plantations, causing them significant damage. This applies primarily to the fields of sweet potato, maize and a number of other crops.

Elephants are digging food with the help of tusks and trunk, and chew on it with molars, which change as they get squeezed. In zoos, the diet of elephants is much more diverse: they are fed with herbs and hay, they are given various vegetables and fruits. Especially they gladly eat apples and pears, cabbage, carrots and beets, they like to eat watermelons very much.

Adult individuals drink a lot of water - up to 300 liters a day, so in natural conditions they try to stay near water bodies.