Species of Elephants
There are three major categories in which Elephants are divided. These categories of Elephants are classified based on where Elephants live (in which continent – Asia or Africa). The three species are listed below :
African Savanna Elephants
African Savanna Elephants are also known as African Bush Elephants. They are the largest species of land animal. African savanna elephants form large herds that can range from around 10 individuals to groups of families numbering 70 individuals or more. African forest elephant herds tend to be much smaller, with only a few elephants in each unit.
African Forest Elephants
African forest elephants are smaller and darker than their savanna relative, with characteristically rounded ears and a hairy trunk. An African forest elephant’s tusks are straighter and point downward, rather than outwards like savanna elephants. They are mainly found in the West and Central Africa. African forest elephants inhabit the dense rainforests of West and Central Africa. African forest outwards typically live between 50 and 60 years. Typically, they weigh between 3 and 6.6 tons. The severe decline of forest elephants in Central Africa is largely a result of the unprecedented levels of poaching for the illegal ivory trade in recent years.
Asian Elephants
Asian Elephants are gray but some body parts of these Elephants lack color especially on and around the ears, forehead, and trunk. This de-pigmentation is believed to be controlled by genetics, nutrition, and habitat, and generally develops as an elephant ages. Asian elephants have only one ‘finger’ at the tip of their trunk, while African elephants have two. The highest point of an Asian elephant is its slightly humped back, while African elephants are tallest at the shoulder.
Largest Elephant in the World with Size
The largest elephant in the world was a Male African savanna elephant. He was about 13 feet tall and weighed about 10,866 kilograms. That Male African Elephant is also known as The Giant of Angola. Let’s learn about the largest elephants in the World, the species of elephants, their habitat, and some of their body parts.