Elephants are truly extraordinary creatures, and there’s an abundance of fascinating facts to share about these gentle giants that roam the Earth.
Elephants: The Largest Land Animals on Earth
Did you know?
Holding the title for the largest living land animals, fully grown African Elephants can reach a shoulder height of 2.5 to 4 meters and weigh a massive 2,268 to 6,350 kilograms. Their Asian relatives are a bit smaller, with a height of 2 to 3 meters and a weight of 2,041 to 4,990 kilograms.
Three Special Species
Guess what?
While elephants come in different types, they mainly fall into two categories: African and Asian. African elephants have two species: the African savanna elephant and the African forest elephant. The Asian category includes the Indian, Borneo, and Sri Lankan elephants.
A Long Life Nourished by Nature
Imagine this!
Elephants have a lengthy lifespan, living between 60 to 70 years. These colossal herbivores dine on foliage, sustaining their large bodies. African elephants can grow up to 7.3 meters in length and tip the scales at up to 7,000 kilograms.
A Link to the Past
Fun fact!
Elephants share a family tree with the woolly mammoths from our prehistoric past. These ancient animals were part of the same family that today’s elephants belong to. The scientific name for the African Elephant is Loxodonta africana, and for the Asian Elephant, it’s Elephas maximus.
