They can grab objects due to the unique shape at the end of the trunk. African elephants have muscular trunks that are able to grab objects and can be used for breathing purposes. Both sexes have two thick, ivory tusks which are curved and can reach up to 350 cm in length. Distinguishing characteristics between the sexes include head shape, width of forehead, saddle-back vs straight back, and tusk size. Male elephants are larger, ranging from 4,500 to 6,100kg in mass and standing 3.2 to 4m at shoulder height. Female elephants can range from 2,000 to 3,500kg in mass and stand 2.2 to 2.6m at shoulder height. Range elevation 0 to 4000 m 0.00 to 13123.36 ftĬurrently, African elephants are the largest terrestrial organism.( Duffy, et al., 2011 Harris, et al., 2008 Laursen and Bekoff, 1978 Mashintonio, et al., 2014) Across these habitats, the elevation level ranges from sea level (0 meters) to 4000 meters. Within these sanctuaries, these elephants will inhabit areas that have sources of water and abundant vegetation for foraging. However, due to poaching threats protected sanctuaries are their main habitats. ( Blanc, 2008 Laursen and Bekoff, 1978 Thomas, et al., 2008)Īfrican elephants are found in many habitats of Africa such as savannas, rain forests, woodlands, scrub forests, occasionally deserts, and beaches. These elephants were extirpated from Swaziland, as well, but have been re-introduced here in recent years. Once present in Burundi, Gambia, and Mauritania, they've now been extirpated from those countries. Disjunct populations exist southward into northern South Africa, and include contiguous populations in Gabon, Tanzania, Botswana, and Zambia. Remnant populations exist as far northwest as Guinea-Bissau and as far northeast as Ethiopia. The tusks of African Forest Elephants are more highly prized by poachers than those of the african elephant or the asian elephant as the ivory is harder whilst still retaining its elastic properties.The range of African elephants ( Loxodonta africana) is patchily distributed across central and southern Africa in the Ethiopian Region. They are found from Sierra Leone to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Subspecies of the African Forest Elephant include: Humans are the main predators of African Forest Elephants. The calf will eat solid foods from about 6 months old, but it will continue to feed on its mothers milk until is it approximately 5 years old.įemale African Forest Elephants remain fertile until they are approximately 60 years of age. Females are only receptive for 3 - 6 days and when she is ready she will emit a low growl that can be heard for several kilometers.Īfter a gestation period of 22 months, a single calf will be born. At the bais they are able to obtain mineral salts by digging down into the soil.Īfrican Forest Elephants breed at any time of the year but a female will only reproduce every 4 years. They gather in large groups in clearings in the forest known as "bais". They require an intake of water daily and can consume up to 50 gallons per day. Throughout their range there are networks of trails that have been created over many years and these trails link favourite feeding areas.Īfrican Forest Elephants feed on grass, leaves, bark, fruit and other vegetation. Males are generally solitary and females live in small groups with one or two of their offspring. They communicate with each other using low calls that can be heard by other elephants through several kilometers of dense jungle, but these sounds are too low to be detected by humans.Īfrican Forest Elephants are found in the dense, lowland jungle of west and central Africa. On their forefeet they have five toes and on their hind feet they have four. Their large ears are rounded and they have straight, downward pointing, yellowish tusks. In colour and they have a sparse covering of hair. African Forest Elephants have a body length between 3 and 4 m (9.75 - 13 ft), a tail length between 50 and 120 cms (2.3 - 4 ft) and they weigh between 0.9 and 3 tonnes (0.88 - 3 tons).
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