African Elephant

The African Elephant is the largest living terrestrial animal. Males, or bulls, can reach a shoulder height of 3.96m (13ft) and weigh up to 10.4 tonnes. Females, or cows, are generally smaller. The African elephant is larger than the Asian Elephant, with larger ears which they use to help keep cool and two finger-like extensions on their trunk, as opposed to the Asian elephant's one. The elephant's trunk contains over 40000 muscles and is extremely sensitive to touch, allowing it to uproot trees just as easily as picking up a blade of grass. Both males and females possess large tusks, although these grow faster in the males.

The African elephant lives across Sub-Saharan Africa in a variety of habitats, although it is typically found in wooded-savannah. Female elephants form large family-based herds lead by the oldest female, or matriarch. Males leave these herds upon adolescence and join bachelor herds, only rejoining the female herds during the breeding season. Elephants eat a variety of vegetation including grass, leaves and bark, and are known to be highly intelligent. Elephant populations have affected in the past due to poaching, although their numbers are rising.