Behind Elephants Facts
| Elephant Life Structure
Elephant Life
Elephants are big animals live in Africa and India. Elephants have
long trunks and bodies covered in thick hair. Their largest tusks are at the
front of their heads. Elephants use these tusks to fight each other and defend
themselves.
An elephant is a wild Asian mammal that lives in family groups
called herds. Male elephants are known as bulls, female elephants are called
cows, young females are called calves, and males who have not yet reached
sexual maturity are called juvenile male elephants. Elephants weigh between
11-20 tones (14-28 short tons) and can live around 70 years. Their lifespan
varies depending on their size, location, diet, age, environment, and genetics.
Herd Structure
Herds of elephants are led by a matriarchal female - sometimes
referred to as the matriarch', but the term matriarch' is often applied only to
larger herds or families. Adult females lead the herd and are supported by
matrilineal kin, including mothers, daughters, sisters, nieces, granddaughters,
nephews, and occasionally cousins. When an adult female dies her position is
taken over by the eldest daughter in the matriline, who then assumes leadership
of the entire herd. Other females may take turns leading the herd if no single
female is capable of doing so. However, this occurs less frequently than in
humans where the oldest son would normally inherit his mother's position and
hence leadership of the family.
Social Groups
The social structure of elephants is based on kinship, rather than
age. Kinship is defined as 'a tie of relationship between persons that is
recognized by society'. Among elephants, males are seen as members of a group
distinct from the females. There are two primary types of social groups in
elephants. These groups share a high degree of interaction between each other,
but they also maintain separate territories, and thus, do not intermingle
regularly. Within these two groups are smaller subgroups, formed by individuals
related to each other by blood, descent, or marriage.
Reproduction
Female elephants reproduce at about 26 years of age, while males
reach reproductive maturity at around 18. After mating, the gestation period
lasts anywhere from six months to two years. Females deliver their offspring
either naturally or assisted by others in the herd. Newborn elephants weigh
approximately 130 kg (290 lb), and are blind, deaf, and helpless. The first
instinct of newborn elephants is to suckle milk from their mothers, and after
several months of nursing, they begin to eat solid food.
How long are elephants pregnant?
- African Elephants: 22 months
- Asian Elephants: 18 to 22 months
Reason for the decrease in the number of elephants
Human population
The decline of the elephant population is due mainly to habitat
loss and poaching. While the African savannah has been reduced to one-fifth of
its original area, poaching is still high. Poaching is done by people who kill
elephants for their ivory tusks. The illegal trade of ivory has recently become
widespread in Africa where poachers slaughter elephants at alarming rates. In
Tanzania alone, for example, 90% of the country's elephants have already died
off.
Climate change
Climate change is another factor leading to the decline of the
elephant population. Warmer weather disrupts the food chain of plants and
animals, causing some species to migrate out of their habitats. Animals that
rely on water to survive may not find enough to drink. The hotter temperatures
mean less rainfall, making it harder for land animals to get the water they
need for survival. When an animal dies of dehydration, it becomes easier for
scavengers to feast on its carcass. As a result, fewer elephants remain.
Hunting
Hunting is also a major cause of elephant deaths. Hunters kill
elephants for their ivory and meat, killing many animals just for sport. Hunting
kills both male and female elephants, and even babies. Even though hunters
shoot only adult males, many females still die because they are forced to carry
heavy burdens while travelling long distances.
Elephant Facts
- Pachyderm - An elephant's trunk is longer than its legs. Its body is covered in thick hair. Their bodies have been known to weigh up to 10 tons. The largest animals ever recorded were African elephants. These weighed between 22-28 tons.
- Social Hierarchy - Elephants are social creatures. They communicate using various gestures and calls, and cooperate socially. On average, the oldest female is leader, followed by her daughter, son, brothers, sisters, mother, father, cousins, nephews, nieces, grandfather, grandmother, great-grandfather, and great-grandmother.
- Mating Season - Males fight in the mating season. This lasts three weeks. During this time, males do not eat, drink, sleep, or use their trunks. The fighting stops once the females arrive at estrus. At this point, the male begins eating and drinking again. He may also begin copulating with the females. Females continue to mate until they become pregnant.
- Elephants Can Hear - Elephants hear sounds ranging from 30-160 decibels. They cannot hear sounds above 100dB. Most humans hear around 20dB, and most dogs only hear between 55-70dB.
- Elephants Sleep More Than 12 Hours Per Day - While sleeping, elephants get up to three times per night to defecate, urinate, shake off dirt, and groom themselves.
- Elephant Teeth Grow Up To 36 Teeth - Compared to other land mammals, elephants' teeth grow continuously throughout their lives. As teeth wear down, they grow back stronger.
- Elephant Trunk Is Used For Many Things - The elephant's trunk is used for smelling, touching, feeling, tasting, manipulating objects, picking things up, blowing things out, carrying items, stretching, greeting others, listening, waving, showing affection, smelling, playing, knocking things over, cleaning, getting help, collecting food, grooming, smelling, spraying water, and swatting bugs.
- Elephants Have Very Large Ears - The ears of an adult elephant are approximately 4 feet long. The longest ear on record was 18 inches long.
- Elephants Never Forget - Adult elephants have been observed remembering people who helped them in the past.
- Elephants Can Recognize Each Other By Touching Trunks - Elephants recognize each other by touching their trunks. This is how they greet, touch, pat, kiss, hug, and play.
- Elephants Are Friendly Towards Humans - Elephants show compassion towards humans, including family members. They can remember human faces and names. They will respond to these humans if they are hungry.
Some more information
about elephants
Elephant's Trunk
Elephants have trunks that can reach up to 30 feet long, and they
use them not just for smelling things, but also for digging and moving around
their habitat. Their trunks also play a major role in their diet. Elephants eat
plants and roots, along with insects and small animals. In return, they spread
seeds around their environment, making it easier for trees and plants to
thrive.
Elephant Teeth
The tusks of elephants are extremely useful tools. Not only does
the elephant use its tusk to dig holes and eat, but it also uses them to fight
off predators and protect itself. Its tusks are sharp enough to cut through
bone and even pierce through thick skin. But contrary to popular belief, tusks
aren't strong enough to kill a human being, but rather are meant to knock
people down or cause pain.
Elephant's Nose
Like the trunk, the nose of an elephant is used for many purposes.
Not only does the nose help the elephant smell food, but it also helps keep the
elephant cool in the hot, tropical climate where it lives. It also keeps the
elephant's nostrils clear of dirt and debris while maintaining a constant
temperature inside.
Elephant Footpads
The footpad of an elephant is used in various ways. The pads
themselves are used to keep the elephant grounded as well as cushioning the
elephant's weight. When the elephant walks, it puts pressure on its footpads to
prevent excess movement, thus reducing strain on the legs.
Elephant Poop
You might think that pooping on the ground would spread germs
around, but that isn't always the case. Some species of elephants will actually
take their poop and bury it nearby, either in a hole or under a tree. This way,
if any hungry predator comes near, the poop is hidden away, keeping the area
safe.
Elephant Skull
The skull of an elephant is called the "elephant's
head". While elephants have a lot of similarities to humans, they are not
related at all. An elephant's brain is about the size of our entire human body,
while our brains are only the size of a walnut. Elephants have been known to
live for over 60 years compared to humans who generally live for just 40-50
years. However, elephants do share some traits with us including intelligence,
memory, and emotion. Humans don't have any unique characteristics besides being
bipedal. We also have opposable thumbs and are able to feel pain.
Elephant Skull Pattern
The skull pattern is composed of three parts, namely the dome,
vault, and parietal bone. These bones make up about half of the skull of an
elephant. When these bones fuse together to form the skull, they create a solid
structure.
Skull Size
An elephant's head is larger than a human's head due to their need
for space and the fact that elephants have longer legs than humans. The jaw
line of an elephant is a little bit different from humans as well. A human has
two jaws, whereas an elephant has three.
Skull Shape
The shape of the skull varies depending on what species of
elephant is being discussed. There are four types of skulls, including the
proboscis, broad, flat, and long faces. In addition to the type of face, the
width of the nose varies as well. The proboscis face is the narrowest, followed
by the flat face. Finally, the long face has the widest nose. On average, the
proboscis face is about 6 inches wide, the flat face is 8 inches wide, and the
long face is 10 inches wide.
Elephant Sight
Elephants hear best with the help of their trunks. An elephant's
eyesight works well even in low light conditions.
Elephant Intelligence
Elephant's intelligence is something we humans often find hard to
grasp. But we know they have emotions, feelings and thoughts just like us! They
have no fear, they do not hate, they love unconditionally and their memory is
incredible. They remember the past, the present and the future. In fact
elephants have been known to retain memories for a lifetime, even after being
separated from their mothers at birth. The elephant brain is about 1/10th the
size of our own and yet it holds 20 times our capacity for learning.
How do elephants help
the forest?
Elephants help a lot in growing forests. Elephants often consume
large amounts of plants and their seeds daily, excreting the undigested seeds
in the ingested plants through their faeces, elephant faeces are rich in
phosphorus, so the seeds grow well and fertilise the land, elephants travel far
and wide to increase forest cover.
