In the kingdom of animals that prefer a land-based lifestyle, the largest are elephants. On a huge planet, elephants are found where it is very hot - in Africa and the Indo-Malayan geographic region.

Elephants are very intelligent animals (the brain can reach 5 kg), with excellent hearing, acute sense of smell and touch.

Structure

Elephants stand out from the entire diversity of the animal kingdom not only by their power, but also by their anatomical structure: huge ears, which when waving cool the body, an elongated trunk-nose, fat pads, shock absorbers on the feet, huge frightening tusks.

What do elephants eat?

It should be noted that such large and strong animals are vegetarians. Their diet is grass, leaves, fruits, and tree bark. True, in very large quantities, reaching up to three hundred kilograms per day. A lot of water is also required - up to two hundred liters.

Why does the elephant trunk?

A trunk is a universal organ for an elephant; it performs many actions with it:

• pulls out grass (if the grass is low, it first loosens the ground with its feet);
• picks leaves and fruits from trees:
• picks up water (trunk capacity up to 6 liters):
• hits them on the ground in a fit of aggression and rage;
• hugs when meeting with relatives.

Throughout life (an average of 70 years), molars change molars several times. By the age of forty, this process has ceased.

The difference between the African and Indian elephant

There are a number of differences between the African (savannah) and Indian (Asian) elephants. We wrote about this in more detail in this article. Larger representatives of proboscis live on the black continent. Asian elephants weigh from 2 to 5.5 tons, so some subspecies are even called "pocket" (Sumatra). Wild Asian elephants quickly get used to the person and easily learn everything. They are used mainly as a vehicle, especially in difficult terrain.

Elephants do not always have tusks; most of these representatives live in Sri Lanka and they are called Makhna. Female elephants also lack tusks. The Asian elephant has two pairs less ribs, but more tail vertebrae. The skin color is lighter, on the frontal part of the head there are two huge bulges. The trunk of the Asian elephant ends with a single finger-shaped process, the tusks are much smaller than the incisors of the African elephant. Cubs are born covered with brownish-colored wool, which, over time, becomes thinner and falls out.

How much does an elephant weigh?

Elephants are impressive in size, the weight of adults can reach up to seven tons, and newborn elephants weigh 100 kilograms. To carry a baby with such a solid weight, an elephant needs almost two calendar years.

Elephant running and speed

Elephants are agile and agile animals, good runners and swimmers. They can reach speeds of up to 48 kilometers per hour. And they are running, lifting their tail, the length of which can reach one and a half meters.

How do elephants sleep?

They sleep at least four hours, spend most of their time in search of food.Only sick elephants or young elephants can lie on the ground during sleep.

Why do elephants take mud baths?

The skin of all elephants is very thick and wrinkled, devoid of sweat glands. Elephants periodically take mud and dust baths to protect them from annoying insects and overheating.

Females move around the territory in herds, while males prefer loneliness. Youngsters of both sexes are with their mother, and older males aged 7-10 years are removed from the herd and form their temporary groups.

Enemies of elephants

In addition to man, in adults there are no enemies in nature, and for elephants lions and tigers are dangerous. Adult giants are afraid of only a small African honey bee, from which one buzz will fall into a stampede. The Red Book is called upon to protect them from people. Whether elephants are afraid of mice is described in this article.

Express their emotions with a roar, grunt, trumpet sounds, yelp. A characteristic feature is that these are the only land mammals that can't jump. They live in captivity longer than in the wild. The task of people living on earth is to preserve the population of these smart and strong animals for future generations.