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Elephants are the largest existing land animals and the only surviving members of the family Elephantidae. Three living species are recognised: the African bush elephant, the African forest elephant, and the Asian elephant. Elephants have long, flexible trunks, long tusks, large ear flaps, pillar-like legs, and grey skin. They are herbivorous, and stay near water when it is accessible. Females (cows) tend to live in family groups, which can consist of one female with her calves or several related females with offspring. After reaching adulthood, males (bulls) live separately, either alone or with other males. Elephants communicate by touch, sight, smell, and sound. Threats to their populations include poaching for their ivory tusks, habitat destruction, and conflicts with local people. Elephants are iconic in human culture and have been featured in art, folklore, religion, literature, and popular culture. This female African bush elephant was photographed in Mikumi National Park, Tanzania. Photograph credit: Muhammad Mahdi Karim
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