Loxodonta africana

African bush elephant

Taxonomy:

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Proboscidea
• Family: Elephantidae
• Genus: Loxodonta
• Species: africana

Common Names by Region:

• English: African bush elephant, African elephant
• Swahili: Tembo

Description: The African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana) is the largest land animal on Earth. It possesses a massive body with thick, wrinkled gray skin, large ears, and long, curved tusks. Adult males, known as bulls, can reach heights of up to 4 meters (13 feet) at the shoulder and weigh as much as 6,000 kilograms (13,000 pounds), while females, or cows, are slightly smaller. African elephants are known for their distinctive trunk, which they use for breathing, communication, grasping objects, and gathering food.

Known Range: African bush elephants are found across sub-Saharan Africa, inhabiting a variety of habitats including savannas, forests, and grasslands. They are most commonly found in countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and others.

Diet: African bush elephants are herbivores with a diverse diet that primarily consists of grasses, leaves, bark, fruits, and roots. They are known to consume vast quantities of vegetation, often stripping trees of their leaves and breaking branches to access food. Due to their size and dietary needs, elephants can have a significant impact on their environment, shaping landscapes and ecosystems through their feeding habits.

Breeding and Lifecycle:

• Breeding: Female elephants, called cows, reach sexual maturity between 10 and 12 years of age, while males, or bulls, become sexually mature between 12 and 15 years. Breeding typically occurs year-round, with peak mating activity often coinciding with the rainy season. Bulls engage in competitive mating behavior, sometimes engaging in fierce battles for access to females.
• Gestation: The gestation period for African elephants is approximately 22 months, making it one of the longest of any land mammal.
• Birth: Cows give birth to single calves, although twins are rare. Calves are born weighing around 100 kilograms (220 pounds) and are dependent on their mothers for nourishment and protection. They are often doted upon by the entire elephant herd.
• Lifespan: African bush elephants have a relatively long lifespan, with individuals living up to 60 to 70 years in the wild, although some captive individuals have been known to live even longer.

Note: Conservation efforts are critical for the survival of African bush elephants, as they face numerous threats including habitat loss, poaching for ivory, human-wildlife conflict, and climate change. Protecting their habitats and combating illegal wildlife trade are essential for ensuring the long-term survival of this iconic species.