>

African Elephant

Adorable baby elephant who loves splashing in the water and following her mom around the enclosure.

African Elephant

Amazing African Elephant Facts

  • An elephant's trunk is incredibly complex with 40,000 muscles working together!
  • Elephant mothers have the longest pregnancy in the animal kingdom - 22 months!
  • These animals are truly remarkable creatures with amazing adaptations!
  • Every day, researchers discover new fascinating behaviors and abilities!
  • Zoos play a crucial role in studying and protecting these incredible animals!

About African Elephant

Natural Habitat

African elephants roam across the vast savannas, grasslands, and forests of sub-Saharan Africa, playing crucial roles as ecosystem engineers.

Physical Characteristics

These impressive animals can reach substantial proportions, with adults weighing up to 14,000 pounds, showcasing their magnificent size and strength. Their anatomy includes approximately 40,000 specialized muscles working in coordination, creating remarkable dexterity and strength for their daily activities. These animals possess extraordinary sensory abilities, capable of 6 miles, allowing them to communicate and navigate their environment with remarkable precision. Their specialized features serve multiple essential functions, primarily used for Digging and stripping bark, making these adaptations invaluable tools for survival. With lengths reaching 50-70 years, these animals are perfectly adapted for their lifestyle and habitat needs.

Diet and Feeding

These animals consume an impressive 300-350 pounds of food daily to maintain their energy levels and support their active lifestyle.

Behavior and Social Life

These animals demonstrate remarkable emotional intelligence and They have burial rituals when facing loss, showing complex behaviors that indicate deep social connections. Young animals display touching comfort-seeking behaviors, as they Suck their trunks, demonstrating the strong emotional bonds that characterize these species. To regulate their body temperature, these animals have developed sophisticated strategies including Both B and C, demonstrating their remarkable adaptations to environmental challenges.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

These animals have a gestation period of 22 months, ensuring their offspring are well-developed at birth.

Conservation Status

These gentle giants face threats from habitat loss and poaching, making conservation efforts essential for their survival.

Activities & Learning

Coloring Page

Download and color your own African Elephant!

Take the Quiz

Test your knowledge about African Elephant!

Start Quiz

Where to See African Elephant

Or use "Auto Locate" above to detect your location automatically
San Diego Zoo
San Diego Zoo

San Diego, CA

3 african elephant

Adults: $62, Children: $52

Explore More Animals

Discover other amazing animals in our zoo network!

Browse All Zoos