Name

African elephants

Scientific Name

Loxodonta africana

Characteristics

The African elephant is bigger than its Asian cousin and is actually the largest animal walking on earth. Present in 37 African countries, they are majestic creatures, easily distinguished by their large ears and trunk.

The African elephant has two family members – the savanna (or bush) elephant and the forest elephant. The savanna elephant lives in the open plains of Africa, whilst the forest elephant lives in the huge rainforests of Africa.

The elephant’s great ears help to cool the animal as they circulate blood through a large surface area, helping transfer heat energy away. Elephants also cool themselves down by spraying water over themselves with their trunk and through covering themselves in mud. The mud keeps them cool, stops them from burning in the sun and prevents insect bites.

Diet

Elephants are herbivores with huge appetites! They eat roots, grasses, bark, leaves and fruit.

Size Fact

African elephants can grow to 4 meters tall!

Food Fact

Elephants eat 135kg of food per day!

Fun Fact

Female elephants are pregnant for 22 months- so it’s a long wait for the baby!

IUCN Red list

African elephants are classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN red list.

Where do I live?

African elephants can be found throughout sub-Saharan Africa and the rainforests of central and West Africa.

Our animals

Our elephants are called Janu, M’changa and Shaka.

Daily talk

The elephant keeper talk takes place at 1pm daily in Elephant Eden.