African Elephant

Scientific Name : Loxodonta africana

The African elephant is the largest of all land mammals and perhaps the continent's most charismatic animal. Visitors to wildlife reserves and wilderness areas are captivated by the power and grace of the magnificent animals, and by their apparent sensitivity and compassion. Elephants may consume over 600 lbs of leaves, grass, pods, bark and roots every day. Over half of the food eaten is poorly digested and deposited as fibrous dung within 24 hours. In this way, elephants break down plant material but also promote regeneration through seed dispersal, soil fertilisation and the 'opening up' of previously shaded areas to light. Along with the minuscule but equally impactful termites, elephants are the 'landscape gardeners' of Africa. In fenced reserves elephant populations may threaten biodiversity due to their modification of habitats. Elephants live in family groups led by a dominant female (the matriarch) which comprise related 'sisters', 'aunts' and their offspring and have an intimate knowledge of a home range. Adult males, and 'teenagers' of 12 and older, typically range in pairs, threesomes or groups of a dozen or more. Cows typically give birth to a single baby once every four or five years, and may live for up to 60 years. Mature males periodically enter a period of 'musth' - a condition of high testosterone levels characterised by leaking temporal glands and dribbling urine - and then intimidate or fight with other bulls. Elephants in this condition should be treated with utmost caution by safari guides! Only in recent years has it been discovered that elephants communicate with one another over long distances with subsonic 'infra sound', growls, rumbles and squeaks too low in pitch for the human ear.