Knowra African elephant African elephant African elephants are the largest living land animals, members of the genus Loxodonta. The genus comprises the savanna elephant and the forest elephant, which differ in size, habitat, and physical traits.
African savanna elephant : The larger African elephant species, Loxodonta africana, found mainly in savannas and other open habitats. It is the genus’s larger, more widespread species.
Elephant trunk : A muscular, elongated nose and upper lip used for breathing, smelling, touching, grasping, and making sounds. Its trunk performs many tasks that smaller mammals assign to separate body parts.
Elephant migration : Seasonal or long-distance movement by elephants between feeding areas, water sources, and habitats. Movement connects populations to resources across changing landscapes.
Elephant evolution : The evolutionary history of elephants and their extinct relatives within the order Proboscidea. African elephants are the living outcome of a much older proboscidean lineage.
African elephant population : The number and distribution of African elephants across their range, tracked by surveys and population estimates. Population trends reveal how threats and conservation measures affect the genus.
African forest elephant : The smaller African elephant species, Loxodonta cyclotis, adapted to the dense forests of central and western Africa. Its compact build and rounded ears distinguish it from the savanna species.
Elephant tusk : An elongated incisor tooth that grows continuously and is used for digging, stripping bark, and defense. Tusks extend the elephant’s reach when feeding and manipulating its surroundings.
Elephant seed dispersal : The transport and deposition of seeds by elephants after they eat fruit or other plant material. Their diets and long movements carry seeds through forests and savannas.
Palaeoloxodon : An extinct genus of elephants that included the straight-tusked elephant and several other large species. Its species shared African ancestry with living elephants, though their relationships remain debated.
African elephant poaching : The illegal killing of African elephants, often to obtain ivory from their tusks. Poaching has caused severe declines in some populations.
Show all 26