| The largest land mammal on the earth, | | | | make up in size. Each molar can weigh |
| weighing up to 16,000 pounds, elephants | | | | more than five pounds. With all the food |
| have captivated observers for centuries. | | | | that is eaten, their teeth take a lot of |
| Elephants have been used for labor, war, | | | | wear and tear and they need to replace |
| entertainment and hunting. Elephants are | | | | their teeth throughout their life, up to |
| one of the most unique animals due to | | | | six times for some. Their large tusks |
| their enormous size and unusual physical | | | | that extend out in front of them are |
| characteristics. | | | | also teeth, but instead of chewing, |
| One of the most popular elephants is | | | | these incisor teeth, are used for |
| Dumbo, from the Walt Disney film made in | | | | defense, digging for water and uprooting |
| the 1940's. The large ears of elephants, | | | | trees. The ivory of these tusks has long |
| exaggerated in this film, do not hear | | | | been sought after and the primary reason |
| well, despite their size. They are | | | | elephants have been hunted. |
| instead used to help keep themselves | | | | Elephants are social animals. They live |
| cool. There are many blood vessels in | | | | together in herds, with older females, |
| the ears, that as they are flapped, | | | | called matriarchs, guiding the family. |
| easily circulate the blood and keep body | | | | Adult males generally live alone while |
| temperatures down, an ability that is | | | | younger elephants, both male and female |
| essential in their desert climates. | | | | stay with the herd. Baby elephants, |
| Elephants ears are so effective due to | | | | called calves, have a gestation period |
| their size, ranging from two to three | | | | of 18-22 months and typically nurse from |
| feet across. | | | | their mother up to five years. When a |
| One of the most distinguishing | | | | calf seems bothered or upset, the herd |
| attributes is the trunk of the elephant. | | | | will come to its aide to comfort and |
| The trunk is an elongated nose that has | | | | caress. It is several more years after |
| many purposes and functions, made up of | | | | they stop nursing before they fully |
| over 40,000 muscles, but no bones. They | | | | mature and if they are male, move out to |
| can use their trunk to suck up water and | | | | be on their own. Their social nature is |
| then spray it into their mouth to drink, | | | | also reflected in their awareness of |
| wash themselves and keep cool. They use | | | | death, as grieving seems to take place |
| it to warn of danger and communicate | | | | among a herd when one of their family |
| with other elephants, as well as to | | | | members die. |
| smell and touch each other | | | | Not long ago there were over five |
| affectionately. The trunk is used most | | | | million elephants on the earth, but |
| frequently though to eat. Elephants eat | | | | there exists now less than a half |
| an average of 16 hours a day. Elephants | | | | million. Climate changes, as well as |
| use their trunk to reach up into trees | | | | destruction of habitat, and hunting have |
| to get food and pluck grass. Because | | | | influenced the number of elephants. |
| they are such large animals and are | | | | Elephants need a lot of land because |
| herbivores who only eat grass, leaves, | | | | they eat so much, drink so much and are |
| other vegetation that is available, | | | | such large creatures. When humans are |
| African Elephants eat a high quantity of | | | | close, the elephants do not have the |
| food, more than 700 pounds a day! They | | | | space they need and infringe on farm |
| have to eat so much because over half of | | | | land, even eating crops. Although |
| all they consume is passed through their | | | | elephants have been revered for |
| systems undigested. | | | | centuries and a symbol for faith and |
| Elephants have the largest teeth of any | | | | religion for some, they are quickly |
| animal. Even though they eat so much | | | | dwindling in numbers, and it is not |
| food,they have only four molar teeth. | | | | known how long these captivating mammals |
| What they lack in numbers though, they | | | | will survive. |