African elephants are the two species of
elephants in the genus
Loxodonta, one of the two existing genera in Elephantidae. Although it is commonly believed that the genus was named by Georges Cuvier in 1825, Cuvier spelled it Loxodonte. An anonymous author romanized the spelling to
Loxodonta and the ICZN recognizes this as the proper authority.
Bush and Forest
Elephants were formerly considered subspecies of the same species
Loxodonta africana. However, they are nowadays generally considered to be two distinct species. The African Forest
Elephant has a longer and narrower mandible, rounder ears, a different number of toenails, straighter and downward tusks, and considerably smaller size. With regard to the number of toenails: the African Bush
Elephant normally has 4 toenails on the frontfoot and 3 on the hindfoot, the African Forest
Elephant normally has 5 toenails on the frontfoot and 4 on the hindfoot (like the
Asian elephant), but hybrids between the two species commonly occur.
Conservation
Poaching significantly reduced the population of
Loxodonta in certain regions during the 20th century. An example of this poaching pressure is in the eastern region of Chad—
elephant herds there were substantial as recently as 1970, with an estimated population of 300,000; however, by 2006 the number had dwindled to about 10,000. The
African elephant nominally has governmental protection, but poaching is still a serious issue.
Human encroachment into or adjacent to natural areas where bush
elephants occur has led to recent research into methods of safely driving groups of
elephants away from humans, including the discovery that playback of the recorded sounds of angry honey bees are remarkably effective at prompting
elephants to flee an area.
Geographic Range
African elephants were historically found south of the Sahara Desert to the south tip of Africa, from the Atlantic (western) coast of Africa to the Indian Ocean in the east. Currently their population is limited to several national parks and game reserves in southern Africa due to poaching and habitat destruction.
Physical Description
Mass
3600 to 6000 kg; avg. 4540 kg
(7920 to 13200 lbs; avg. 9988 lbs)
African elephants are the heaviest land animal, and the second tallest in the Animal Kingdom. They are a sexually dimorphic species; males appear larger than females. The height of a bull at his shoulder is about twelve feet (about 3.75 m), when the female’s height is nine feet (about 3 m). They have enormous ears, each measuring about four feet (120-125 cm) across. They have a unique nose that is simply a long, boneless trunk extending from the upper lip. The trunk usually measures about five feet long (about 150 cm) and weighs around 300 pounds (about 135 kg). The two finger-like projections on the tip are so dexterous they can pick a blade of grass. The trunk itself is so strong it is capable of lifting 600 pounds (250- 275 kg). Their incisor teeth develop into tusks about 8 feet long (245-250 cm) and can weigh about 130 pounds (60 kg) each. The only other teeth they have are four molars which are replaced three times throughout their lives after the previous set wears down.
African elephants have dark gray skin which is scattered with black hairs that wear off through the years. As a result the adults are mostly hairless. Their skin is about 2 1/2 inches (2-4 cm) thick, but flies, mosquitoes and parasites still penetrate it. There are two currently recognized subspecies which differ in their geographic location, tusk length, and weight. Forest
elephants,
Loxodonta africana cyclotis, typically reside in rain forests. They have more slender tusks and are smaller in height and weight than savannah/desert
elephants (
Loxodonta africana africana) who usually are found in grasslands.
Reproduction
Breeding interval
Females give birth every four to nine years.
Breeding season
Births occur more frequently during rainy seasons, but may occur throughout the year.
Number of offspring
2 (high); avg. 1
Gestation period
22 months (average)
Birth Mass
105000 g (average) [Ref]
(3696 oz)
Time to weaning
78 months (average)
Time to independence
78 minutes (average)
Age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
11 years (average)
Age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
11 years (average)
A females' estrus period lasts for about forty-eight hours. A bull in musth, a heightened state of sexual aggression and activity, must determine if the cow is in estrus by smelling her genitals. He inhales with the end of his trunk rubbing her genitals, then exhales with the end of the trunk in his mouth. This sends chemicals to his Jacobson’s organ, located in the palate, to test her condition for mating. Larger males with the largest tusks are usually around fifty years old and do most of the breeding; leaving the younger bulls to roam until a mate is found. Males constantly search for mates and rarely stay for more than a few weeks with a female and her herd.
Elephants do not have any specific mating season. During the rainy seasons the reproductive rate is higher while times of drought or crowded conditions result in a lower reproductive rate. After a 22-month gestation period, single
elephant calves are born weighing about 265 pounds (120-130 kg), twins are rare. A short time after birth, they instinctively are able to follow their mothers. Females give birth every four to nine years. Older calves are weaned a few months before the next is born.
Sexual maturity is reached between 10 and 12 years of age.
African elephant live about 70 years, they continue to grow in height during their lives, reaching a maximum of 13 ft (4-4.5 m) for males, and 9 ft (approx. 2.5-3 m) for females. (Estes, 1999; Eltringam, 1992)
The calf is born into a nurturing herd of related females and young males. After a gestation period of 20-22 months, they are precocial as they can see, smell, and walk a short time after birth. These well-developed calves are guarded and taken care of by their allomothers; young females who assist the calf’s mother.
Elephant cows of the herd, which are typically related, frequently suckle each others' calves. Daughters remain in their natal herd for life, sons leave their natal herd once they reach sexual maturity.
Lifespan/Longevity
Average lifespan (wild)
70 years
Average lifespan (wild)
70 years [Ref]
Average lifespan (wild)
60 years [Ref]
Average lifespan (captivity)
80 years [Ref]
Elephants have one of the longest lifespans of all mammals- about seventy years. Their age can be determined by height comparison to the matriarch, tusk length, or more complicated methods like measuring the weight of an eye lens from an elephant that recently died. Aging
elephants faces appear sunken and their ears fold toward their body as they get older. They may also suffer from arthritis, tuberculosis or blood diseases like septicemea. Accidental death can occur if an elephant falls down a hill, or if it loses a fight with another elephant. Deaths from poaching still outnumber any natural or accidental occurrences of death in
elephants.
Behavior
African elephants wander day or night in non-territorial herds that can reach 200
elephants, even one thousand during the rains. Their society is based on a social matriarchal community. The matriarch is the oldest female who leads a clan of 9 to 11
elephants. Only closely related females and their offspring are part of this herd because males wander alone once they reach maturity. The herd’s well being depends on the guidance of the matriarch. She determines when they eat, rest, bathe or drink. As the matriarch begins to be limited by advancing age, around 50-60 years old, the next oldest replaces her and she is either abandoned or leaves by herself.
Females in the herd practice motherhood by being allomothers to the calves. While the adults are sleeping (standing or laying on their sides), these assistants must protect the babies and retrieve them if they stray too far. Males, however, leave the herd at maturity and wander alone or in bachelor herds. Around 25 years old, they begin to compete for mates.
Elephants display dominance with a raised head, trunk, and ears. They also snap their ears, shake their heads, make trumpeting noises and rumbles. They display submission by leveling their ears, lowering their heads, rubbing their eyes and swaying.
African elephants are typically active during the day but herds in areas with high levels of human activity often become primarily nocturnal.
Food Habits
Elephants eat vegetation like leaves, roots, bark, grasses and fruit. Each day they can consume anywhere from 220 to 660 pounds (100 to 300 kg) of food, and drink up to 50 gallons (190 L) of water. During the rainy seasons
elephants eat grass and herbs like papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) and cat tails (Typha augustifolia). During dry seasons in the savannah they eat leaves collected from thorny trees and bushes. Swamps are a last resort for food because swamp vegetation contains little nutrition. However, dying
elephants are often found in these areas because this vegetation is softer and older elephants are often missing teeth
Predation
Known predators
- lions (Panthera leo)
- hyenas (Hyaeninae)
- humans (Homo sapiens)
The size of adult
elephants leaves them invulnerable to wild animals. Humans are the only predators to adult
elephants but calves are susceptible to be snatched away by lions and hyenas. If they sense a predator nearby, the largest cows instinctively herd the calves into a bunch around the matriarch. Next, they form circles around the cluster which creates protective layers that are impossible for predators to penetrate.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable.
US Federal List: Threatened.
CITES: Appendix I.
The
African Elephant Conservation Act of 1988 is in full effect today, which bans any trade in ivory. The species’ status on the CITES appendix has moved to #1, from a monitored amount of trade to none. Though some conservation programs offer rewards, people have made movements to conserve and live with the
elephants without being repaid. Conservation facilities exist in Africa, and societies to fuel them exist worldwide in Cameroon, England, Germany, Kenya, Netherlands, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Sweden, Tanzania, Thailand and the United States. In central eastern Africa, a number of wildlife conservancies hope to give endangered species a large protected area to live in and reproduce. They hope to see more action taken on predators and stop the illegal trade in ivory. Some parks and other areas that are being populated more and more with humans must control the number of
elephants by controlled killing, or culling.
