Elephant 🐘

Elephants are mammals of the family Elephantidae and the largest existing land animals. Three species are currently recognised: the African bush elephant, the African forest elephant, and the Asian elephant. Elephantidae is the only surviving family of the order Proboscidea; extinct members include the mastodons.

Length: Asian elephant: 5.5 – 6.5 m

Phylum: Chordata

Gestation period: African bush elephant: 22 months, Asian elephant: 18 – 22 months

Mass: African bush elephant: 6,000 kg, Asian elephant: 4,000 kg, African forest elephant: 2,700 kg

Lifespan: African bush elephant: 60 – 70 years, Asian elephant: 48 years, African forest elephant: 60 – 70 years

Height: African bush elephant: 3.2 m, Asian elephant: 2.7 m