Zoology of the ZooPl. I
African bush elephant
Loxodonta africana
Mammalia · Proboscidea · Elephantidae
Fig. 1. African bush elephant
Fig. 2. Range
| Length or height | Shoulder height up to about 4 m (males) |
|---|---|
| Weight | Up to about 6,000 kg (males) |
| Food | Herbivore: grasses, bark, leaves, fruit |
| Lifespan | About 60-70 years |
| Society | Matriarchal family herds; adult males roam alone or in bachelor groups |
| Habitat | savanna, grassland |
| Range | Africa |
| Wild or tame | Wild; never domesticated |
The largest land animal. Split from the forest elephant as a separate species; IUCN listed both separately in 2021.
Observe: Watch the trunk: smelling, grabbing, dusting and touching other elephants. How does the herd greet a returning member.