Elephant: Difference between revisions

From WikiAnimal
No edit summary
No edit summary
 
(22 intermediate revisions by 8 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[File:Sitting Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) bathing in Tad Lo river, Laos.jpg|alt=Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) bathing in Tad Lo river, Laos|thumb|Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) bathing in Tad Lo river, Laos]]
[[File:Sitting Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) bathing in Tad Lo river, Laos.jpg|alt=Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) bathing in Tad Lo river, Laos|thumb|Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) bathing in Tad Lo river, Laos]]'''Elephants''' are the largest land animals in existence. Currently, three living species are recognized: the African bush elephant, the African forest elephant, and the Asian elephant. They are the only surviving members of the Elephantidae family and the Proboscidea order. In the past, the order had much greater diversity during the Pleistocene, but most species became extinct in the Late Pleistocene epoch.
'''Elephants''' are the largest existing land animals. Three living species are currently recognised: the African bush elephant, the African forest elephant, and the Asian elephant. They are the only surviving members of the family Elephantidae and the order Proboscidea. The order was formerly much more diverse during the Pleistocene, but most species became extinct during the Late Pleistocene epoch. Distinctive features of elephants include a long proboscis called a trunk, tusks, large ear flaps, pillar-like legs, and tough but sensitive skin. The trunk is used for breathing and is prehensile, bringing food and water to the mouth, and grasping objects. Tusks, which are derived from the incisor teeth, serve both as weapons and as tools for moving objects and digging. The large ear flaps assist in maintaining a constant body temperature as well as in communication. African elephants have larger ears and concave backs, whereas Asian elephants have smaller ears, and convex or level backs.


Elephants are scattered throughout sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia and are found in different habitats, including savannahs, forests, deserts, and marshes. They are herbivorous, and they stay near water when it is accessible. They are considered to be keystone species, due to their impact on their environments. Elephants have a fission–fusion society, in which multiple family groups come together to socialise. Females (cows) tend to live in family groups, which can consist of one female with her calves or several related females with offspring. The groups, which do not include bulls, are usually led by the oldest cow, known as the matriarch.
Elephants possess distinctive features such as a long proboscis called a trunk, tusks, large ear flaps, pillar-like legs, and tough but sensitive skin. The trunk is a versatile tool used for breathing, bringing food and water to the mouth, and grasping objects. Tusks, derived from the incisor teeth, serve as both weapons and tools for moving objects and digging. The large ear flaps help regulate body temperature and aid in communication. African elephants have larger ears and concave backs, while Asian elephants have smaller ears and convex or level backs.


Males (bulls) leave their family groups when they reach puberty and may live alone or with other males. Adult bulls mostly interact with family groups when looking for a mate. They enter a state of increased testosterone and aggression known as musth, which helps them gain dominance over other males as well as reproductive success. Calves are the centre of attention in their family groups and rely on their mothers for as long as three years. Elephants can live up to 70 years in the wild. They communicate by touch, sight, smell, and sound; elephants use infrasound and seismic communication over long distances. Elephant intelligence has been compared with that of primates and cetaceans. They appear to have self-awareness, and appear to show empathy for dying and dead family members.
Elephants are found across sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, inhabiting various habitats including savannahs, forests, deserts, and marshes. They are herbivorous and tend to stay near accessible water sources. Considered keystone species, elephants have a significant impact on their environments. They have a fission-fusion society, where multiple family groups come together to socialize. Female elephants (cows) typically live in family groups, which can consist of a single female with her calves or multiple related females with offspring. These groups, led by the oldest female known as the matriarch, do not include males (bulls).


African bush elephants and Asian elephants are listed as endangered and African forest elephants as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). One of the biggest threats to elephant populations is the ivory trade, as the animals are poached for their ivory tusks. Other threats to wild elephants include habitat destruction and conflicts with local people. Elephants are used as working animals in Asia. In the past, they were used in war; today, they are often controversially put on display in zoos, or exploited for entertainment in circuses. Elephants are highly recognisable and have been featured in art, folklore, religion, literature, and popular culture.
Male elephants (bulls) leave their family groups upon reaching puberty and may live alone or with other males. Adult bulls primarily interact with family groups when seeking a mate. During this time, they undergo a period of increased testosterone and aggression called musth, which helps them establish dominance over other males and achieve reproductive success. Calves are the focal point within their family groups and rely on their mothers for up to three years. In the wild, elephants can live up to 70 years. They communicate through touch, sight, smell, and sound, utilizing infrasound and seismic communication over long distances. Elephant intelligence has been compared to that of primates and cetaceans. They display self-awareness and exhibit empathy towards dying and deceased family members.


== The effects of elephants in captivity ==
The African bush elephant and Asian elephant are listed as endangered, while the African forest elephant is classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The ivory trade poses one of the most significant threats to elephant populations, as these animals are poached for their tusks. Other threats include habitat destruction and conflicts with local communities. Elephants are also used as working animals in Asia. In the past, they were employed in warfare.
'''[[Elephant|Elephants]]''' are known for their intelligence, social skills, and empathy towards other animals, including humans.<ref>[https://www.elephantvoices.org/elephant-sense-a-sociality-4/elephants-are-intelligent.html Elephants are intelligent] Elephant Voices</ref> However, despite their unique qualities, elephants are often kept in captivity for various reasons, including tourism, entertainment, and religious purposes. There is a growing consensus that keeping elephants in captivity is wrong and has serious consequences for the animals' physical and emotional well-being.


Captivity denies elephants their natural habitat and social structure. In the wild, elephants are social animals that live in large herds and have strong familial bonds.<ref>[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6826554/ Social Interactions in Zoo-Housed Elephants: Factors Affecting Social Relationships] National Library of Medicine</ref> These herds travel long distances in search of food, water, and shelter. Captivity deprives elephants of their freedom to move and interact with their own kind. Elephants in captivity are often kept in confined spaces with limited mobility, which can lead to health problems such as arthritis, obesity, and foot disorders.<ref>[https://www.bornfree.org.uk/elephant-health-problems Health Problems & Disease] Born Free</ref>
== In a nutshell ==


Captivity also subjects elephants to physical and emotional abuse. Captivity often involves training elephants to perform unnatural behaviors, such as standing on their hind legs or balancing on balls, through the use of [[bullhooks]]. Elephants in captivity are also subjected to isolation, boredom, and stress, which can lead to the development of psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety.<ref>[https://apnews.com/article/from-our-partner-the-conversation-environment-lifestyle-stress-environment-and-nature-a71d4d06cfd306d7568e0dc4c15fd8d7 The neural cruelty of captivity: Keeping large mammals in zoos and aquariums damages their brains] AP News</ref>
* Elephants are the largest living land mammals on the planet, that habitat sub-Sharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
* There are three different species of elephant: African Savannah (Bush), African Forest and Asian. You can tell them apart by their ears and their trunks.  
* Elephants have large ears that help them regulate their body temperature. They also have long trunks that they use for various purposes, such as picking up objects, trumpeting warnings, greeting other elephants, or sucking up water.  
* Elephant tusks are actually enlarged incisor teeth that grow throughout their lives. They use them for feeding, digging, or fighting. Both male and female African elephants grow tusks, but only male Asian elephants do.  
* Elephants eat up to 150 kg of food per day, mostly grasses, leaves, fruits and roots. They can spend up to 18 hours a day eating. They also create a lot of poo, which fertilizes the soil and disperses seeds.  
* Elephants have a very long gestation period of 22 months, the longest of any animal. They give birth to calves that weigh up to 120 kg and can stand up shortly after being born.  
* Elephants are very social animals that live in family groups led by a matriarch. They communicate with each other through sounds, body language, touch and vibrations. They can also show emotions like joy, grief and empathy.  
* Elephants are very intelligent and have large brains. They can remember places, people and other elephants for a long time. They can also use tools, cooperate, and learn new skills.  
* Elephants are endangered due to habitat loss, human-elephant conflict and poaching for their ivory. There are more African elephants than Asian elephants, but both species need protection and conservation efforts.  
* Elephants have some amazing adaptations that help them survive in their environments. For example, they can create their own sunscreen by throwing mud and sand over themselves, or use their tusks to mine for salt in underground caves.
{{Project species box 2}}


Captivity can also have negative consequences for the conservation of the species. The captivity of elephants encourages the belief that they are a commodity that can be used for human entertainment and profit, rather than as wild animals that need to be protected. This perception often leads to the illegal poaching and trade of elephants, which further endangers the species. Captivity fails to address the root causes of habitat loss and poaching that threaten the survival of elephants in the wild.<ref>[https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150604203450.htm Critically endangered species should be left to breed in the wild] Science Daily</ref>
== See also ==
== See also ==


* [[The effects of captivity on elephants]]
* [[Effects of captivity on elephants|The effects of captivity on elephants]]
* [[Elephant tourism]]
* [[Elephant tourism]]
* [[List of living captive elephants]]
* [[List of living captive elephants]]
* [[List of captive elephant deaths]]
* [[Bullhooks]]
* [[Phajaan]]
* [[Phajaan]]
* [[An Apology to Elephants - film]]
* {{See also/elephant}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
Line 29: Line 38:
* [[wikispecies:Elephas_maximus|Elephas maximus]] Wikispecies
* [[wikispecies:Elephas_maximus|Elephas maximus]] Wikispecies


== References ==
[[Category:Elephants]]
[[Category:Elephants]]
[[Category:Elephantidae (family)]]
[[Category:Proboscidea (order)]]
[[Category:Project Species]]

Latest revision as of 20:22, 3 February 2024

Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) bathing in Tad Lo river, Laos
Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) bathing in Tad Lo river, Laos

Elephants are the largest land animals in existence. Currently, three living species are recognized: the African bush elephant, the African forest elephant, and the Asian elephant. They are the only surviving members of the Elephantidae family and the Proboscidea order. In the past, the order had much greater diversity during the Pleistocene, but most species became extinct in the Late Pleistocene epoch.

Elephants possess distinctive features such as a long proboscis called a trunk, tusks, large ear flaps, pillar-like legs, and tough but sensitive skin. The trunk is a versatile tool used for breathing, bringing food and water to the mouth, and grasping objects. Tusks, derived from the incisor teeth, serve as both weapons and tools for moving objects and digging. The large ear flaps help regulate body temperature and aid in communication. African elephants have larger ears and concave backs, while Asian elephants have smaller ears and convex or level backs.

Elephants are found across sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, inhabiting various habitats including savannahs, forests, deserts, and marshes. They are herbivorous and tend to stay near accessible water sources. Considered keystone species, elephants have a significant impact on their environments. They have a fission-fusion society, where multiple family groups come together to socialize. Female elephants (cows) typically live in family groups, which can consist of a single female with her calves or multiple related females with offspring. These groups, led by the oldest female known as the matriarch, do not include males (bulls).

Male elephants (bulls) leave their family groups upon reaching puberty and may live alone or with other males. Adult bulls primarily interact with family groups when seeking a mate. During this time, they undergo a period of increased testosterone and aggression called musth, which helps them establish dominance over other males and achieve reproductive success. Calves are the focal point within their family groups and rely on their mothers for up to three years. In the wild, elephants can live up to 70 years. They communicate through touch, sight, smell, and sound, utilizing infrasound and seismic communication over long distances. Elephant intelligence has been compared to that of primates and cetaceans. They display self-awareness and exhibit empathy towards dying and deceased family members.

The African bush elephant and Asian elephant are listed as endangered, while the African forest elephant is classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The ivory trade poses one of the most significant threats to elephant populations, as these animals are poached for their tusks. Other threats include habitat destruction and conflicts with local communities. Elephants are also used as working animals in Asia. In the past, they were employed in warfare.

In a nutshell

  • Elephants are the largest living land mammals on the planet, that habitat sub-Sharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
  • There are three different species of elephant: African Savannah (Bush), African Forest and Asian. You can tell them apart by their ears and their trunks.  
  • Elephants have large ears that help them regulate their body temperature. They also have long trunks that they use for various purposes, such as picking up objects, trumpeting warnings, greeting other elephants, or sucking up water.  
  • Elephant tusks are actually enlarged incisor teeth that grow throughout their lives. They use them for feeding, digging, or fighting. Both male and female African elephants grow tusks, but only male Asian elephants do.  
  • Elephants eat up to 150 kg of food per day, mostly grasses, leaves, fruits and roots. They can spend up to 18 hours a day eating. They also create a lot of poo, which fertilizes the soil and disperses seeds.  
  • Elephants have a very long gestation period of 22 months, the longest of any animal. They give birth to calves that weigh up to 120 kg and can stand up shortly after being born.  
  • Elephants are very social animals that live in family groups led by a matriarch. They communicate with each other through sounds, body language, touch and vibrations. They can also show emotions like joy, grief and empathy.  
  • Elephants are very intelligent and have large brains. They can remember places, people and other elephants for a long time. They can also use tools, cooperate, and learn new skills.  
  • Elephants are endangered due to habitat loss, human-elephant conflict and poaching for their ivory. There are more African elephants than Asian elephants, but both species need protection and conservation efforts.  
  • Elephants have some amazing adaptations that help them survive in their environments. For example, they can create their own sunscreen by throwing mud and sand over themselves, or use their tusks to mine for salt in underground caves.

See also

External links

References