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
