Male elephants often stay independent, but sometimes band together in bachelor pods. The elephant is the only mammal without a pleural cavity (the fluid-filled space between the lungs). The Adaptations of Elephants for Survival Size. Overall, African elephant populations are classified as threatened. Tuberculosis is a disease caused by bacterium that affects the lungs. Meat is distributed amongst local pe… The African forest elephant has, like the asian elephant, four nails on the hindfeet and five nails on the frontfeet (which is more nails than than the african bush elephant which has four front nails and three nails on the hind feet).. African Forest Elephant Diet. Anthrax is one of the most fatal diseases impacting elephants. Connective tissue attaches their lungs directly to the chest wall and the diaphragm. Humans are the only predator that can threaten them. As long as there is a demand for ivory, however, poaching will continue. Most males (bulls) live in bachelor herds apart from the cows. So are we! Comparisons have been drawn between culling and legal hunting measures that are taken to manage deer overpopulation. Come face-to-face with the wonders of wildlife through species-focused episodes and related classroom activities. Each herd consists of anywhere from 8-100 Elephants, all led by the oldest (and often largest) matriarch. Funding for some civil wars is partially obtained from the sale of poached ivory. In fact, many plant and animal species are actually dependent on elephants to survive because they make their homes in elephant-created ecosystems as well. There are two major species of elephants, African and Asian. Fun facts about elephant babies for kids. Culling is the legalized killing of an animal and is a controversial and debated topic. © 2020 WILD SKY MEDIA. Elephants eat roots, grasses, fruit, and bark, and they eat a lot of these things. African Forest elephants survive on a diet of herbs and trees or … Today, an estimated about 70,000 African elephants are killed annually for the ivory trade. Not only does it help elephants to reach food high up in branches, it also allows them to get to food and water on the ground, which they otherwise wouldn't be able to access. The elongated elephant’s trunk measures between 2 and 3 meters long, and is perhaps the most important part of the elephant’s body – specialized to help the animal in their fight for survival. Elephants of all ages … Browse our extensive collection of zoological career infobooks including animal training, animal rescue and rehabilitation and zoo careers. Commercial agricultural crops, such as oil palm and rubber, can net millions of dollars in losses annually. Affluent individuals, primarily of American and European origin, spend between $15,000 and $20,000 to hunt an elephant. Due to the increasing number of elephant populations in increasingly smaller areas, many elephant populations share limited resources. An elephant calf's first year of life is its most vulnerable time with mortality rates exceeding 30%. When you're a large creature with a short neck, a trunk is an extremely useful part of your anatomy. Elephants' massive size is a great anti-predator adaptation. As a result, as they lose habitat, they often come into conflict with people in competition for … The survival rate of a calf greatly increases when more females are present and willing take care of it. The justification for culling is generally that the number of individuals has surpassed the habitat's carrying capacity (the amount of available resources that a habitat has to sustain life). They are found throughout the grassy plains and bushlands of Africa. Carnivores (meat eaters) such as lions, hyenas, and crocodiles may prey upon young, sick, orphaned, or injured elephants. 1. They flap their large ears to help cool the blood in their capillaries and distribute the cooler blood through their bodies. However, baby elephants can be attacked and killed by animals such as lions, tigers and hyenas. Due to the large dietary requirements of elephants, the fragmented habitats may become over-exploited and damaged. African elephant populations are threatened by poaching for ivory and habitat loss/fragmentation. They are the largest mammal that lives on land and are known for their gentle attitude and intelligence. Baby elephant has a long childhood. Fun facts about elephants! Are you wild about whales? PART OF WILD SKY MEDIA | FAMILY & PARENTING, International Fund for Animal Welfare: Understanding Adaptation, Defenders of Wildlife: Basic Facts About Elephants, University of Wisconsin La Crosse: Asian Elephant. An elephant trunk has no bones, a small amount of fat, and close to 40,000 separate muscles (compared to 600 muscles in … A game warden usually supervises the hunting expedition and a technician accompanies them to prepare legal trophies, usually from the tusks and feet. There are two distinct species of elephants: African elephants (Loxodonta africana) and Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). The species is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Asian elephants do not have tusks with them, the male elephants may have small tusks but female elephants do not have them.What Do elephant Eat is leaves, fruits for their live. Elephant’s life expectancy is 60 to 70 years old. Currently it is illegal to poach elephants. Abnormal behaviors may develop in orphaned young bulls that have not benefited from proper maternal care. Elephant - Elephant - Reproduction and life cycle: Elephants live in small family groups led by old females (cows). Elephants live in hot conditions and need to be able to cool themselves down. Where do elephants live and why are they important for the environment? What is the Common Factor Affecting the Survival of African and Asian Elephants in the Wild? There are a host of illnesses that are specific to elephants, such as trunk paralysis and elephant pox. Habitat fragmentation reduces breeding opportunity thus decreasing populations and limiting genetic variability. African elephants are the largest mammal on earth, up to 14 feet (4 meters) tall and weighing in around 8 tons (6,300-7,300 kg). The average lifespan of elephants is about 65 years of age or more. Learn more about the Seasonal Camp Counselor program at SeaWorld. The Asian Elephant are small in size comparing to African Elephants. The main threats to elephant populations today are habitat loss/ fragmentation and poaching. Therefore the challenge of tree regeneration may not be directly attributed to elephant feeding habits. Poaching has led to the indiscriminate shooting of elephants of all ages, resulting in a decrease in the average tusk size of surviving elephants' offspring. Elephants may require a few hundred to a few thousand square kilometers of habitat as a home range. In 2004 the average weight was reportedly 3.6 kg (8 lb.). Animal Facts Encyclopedia. It is characterized by chronic weight loss, nasal discharge, coughing, and diminished appetite. One way that elephants stay cool is by using their ears. Human pregnancies averaged 280 days, or 10 months. In the case of crop raiding, elephants should not be killed. While the increased amount of exposure in the media is heightening the public’s awareness about the poaching crisis, there are also other imminent issues facing elephants in the wild. Important Body Parts: Elephant Lungs. Digestive diseases may be treated through fasting or through natural treatments such as consuming bitter herbs, bark, or alkaline (basic) earth. Elephants have a longer pregnancy than any other mammal — almost 22 months. Long revered for strength and size, elephants have been sought after for large game trophy hunts. They use them to strip bark and soft wood off trees, which they subsequently eat. How Do Elephants Use Adaptations for Getting Their Food? Therefore, when raiding crops, elephants should either be denied food or given a place in which to live. Elephants need extensive land areas to survive and meet their ecological needs, which includes food, water, and space. Overcrowding can lead to contamination of water resources and increased occurrences of parasitic diseases. This adversely affects elephant and other animal populations by reducing the number of areas they may safely inhabit. The matriarch is the oldest female elephant in the group and it is always her who decided where and when the group should move for food and shelter. With increased human settlement, elephant migration routes have been greatly obstructed. Elephant facts, photos, videos and information. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. © 2020 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Female elephants live in large groups headed by a matriarch. Elephants' massive size is a great anti-predator adaptation. Deer, like many animals, if they overpopulate have to go further to search for food. Although elephants can make a very wide range of sounds (10 octaves), they mostly communicate through low-frequency sounds called “rumbling.” In fact, elephants are capable of producing and perceiving sounds one to two octaves lower than the … In 1990 the average weight was reportedly 3 kg (6.6 lb.). In some African regions, large game trophy hunts may generate more income from mediocre (average to below average) lands than from conventional agriculture due to the challenging environment for crop growth. A herd of 20 elephants can eat and trample down two hectares (five acres) of crops in a single night. 4. The African bull elephant can grow as large as 13 feet (4 meters) tall, weigh between 4,000-7,500 kg and can have tusks as long as 6.5 feet (2 meters) in length weighing 100 pounds each (45 kg). Elephants debark and push over trees for feeding and strength trials. Elephant culling has been used in areas where there are too many elephants for the habitat to support. When ill, elephants help themselves in a variety of ways. Legal hunting is a preventative measure that averts deer from becoming overpopulated and reduces instances of starvation and injuries. 3. What Is the Purpose of the Dolphin's Blubber? ; Elephants show similar emotions like humans do. Communication is vital to elephants, who rely on a social network for survival. Where food is plentiful, the groups join together. This post was updated on September 10, 2020. In these early times they were used to help with building due to their size. When a calf is born, it’s raised by the whole herd. While these elephants don’t have many predators, there is one threat that is quickly endangering them. 5. For instance, when an elephant is killed it will take 15 years for a female to replace it. In addition, they use them to dig in the ground and uncover salts and other minerals that are vital to their diets. ... are difficult to breed in captivity and the maintenance of a wild population on both continents is critical to the elephants long term survival on our planet. Elephants, like human, is one of the few creatures which born without survival … SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Conservation Fund. Affluent individuals, primarily of American and European origin, spend between $15,000 and $20,000 to hunt an elephant. Humans are the greatest threat to all elephant populations. Humans. The oldest elephant to live was an Asian elephant named Lin Wang that died at 86 years old. It is through tiny droplets in the air and can infect humans and elephants. On average, an elephant can feed up to 18 hours and consume hundreds of pounds of plant matter in a single day. - Elephant Facts. Many field owners can lose an entire year's crop in just one night of these raids in addition to risking starvation for themselves and their families. The primary ivory-importing nations are Japan, Hong Kong, the United States and several European countries. Refer to poaching repercussions. AMAZING FACTS ABOUT ELEPHANT BEHAVIOR 25) Elephants have deep family bonds and tight-knit groups of related females and their offspring. They bond. An elephant herd can satisfy all of its dietary requirements for 24 hours by spending just seven or eight hours in a cultivated field. The African elephant is the world's largest land mammal – with males on average measuring up to 3m high and weighing up to 6 tonnes. Elephants have long been hunted for the ivory in their tusks. A game warden usually supervises the hunting expedition and a technician accompanies them to prepare legal trophies, usually from the tusks and feet. Animal Facts Encyclopedia. Elephants are susceptible to some diseases spread by mosquitoes and to some inflictions that affect humans, such as intestinal colic, nettle rash, pneumonia, constipation, and even the common cold. When you're a large creature with a short neck, a trunk is an extremely useful part of your anatomy. As the human and elephant populations grow closer together in proximity, there are increased occurrences of crop raiding by elephants. However, the greatest use of ivory is for the carving and creation of billiard balls, piano keys, bagpipes, buttons, and ornamental items. Be Her Village. Taken with tigers? The elephant's social structure is quite different to other animals. Anthrax is a bacterium that causes high fever, shivering, ulcers, and swellings. Documented behaviors include abnormal aggressiveness, including fatal attacks, and reproductive inexperience. They are easily distinguished by their very large ears—which allow them to radiate excess heat—and front legs which are noticeably longer than the hind legs. And it’s not just the adults – even calves are huge! They don't need much sleep. Come with us on an unforgettable journey behind the scenes during a SeaWorld or Busch Gardens Camp. An adult elephant can consume up to 300 pounds of food in a single day. Our overarching zoological mission is to foster conservation awareness and to impart action on our park guests to preserve wild animals and wild places. Although they're technically prey animals, rather than predatory ones, adults are so large that they're invulnerable to attacks from wild animals. Although their tusks can bring elephants some trouble, as they're mainly poached for their ivory, they're also very useful. Hear animal sounds for animals like anteaters, dolphins, frogs and more. Additionally, they use their trunks to make calls and other sounds to communicate with one another and warn their herd about any potential threats. Download free teacher guides to keep students learning in a hands-on way: includes vocabulary, classroom activities, goals and objectives. Elephant Evolution and Adaptation. Some Not So-Amazing Elephant Facts. At SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, we extend our commitment to the environment beyond our company by supporting a variety of conservation groups and programs. This is because elephants are slow breeders. To stop calves being harmed, adults in a herd will group the young together and form a protective circle around them. Many experts believe that the Mammoth which is now extinct is an early form of the elephant. From fun and affordable field trips for students to amazing summer adventures, our camps combine education and entertainment in a way that connects people to the sea and sea life like nowhere else. 38. The male elephants leave their groups after they have attained the age of 12-15. Although Asian elephants have smaller ears than their African cousins, the process is still as effective. Each year HEC poses a grave threat to both humans and elephants. The African elephant is the largest living terrestrial mammal and is found predominantly in eastern, southern and western Africa in a variety of habitats. While human beings require (on average) eight hours sleep for total functionality,... 3. Unfortunately, the elephants' home may also provide retreats for armed opposition groups during times of war and political unrest. Male elephants stay with the herd through adolescence and then move away as they grow older. Since they're unable to sweat, they've adapted another solution. 3. They are capable of recognising not only their own mothers, calves and siblings but also their grandmothers, aunts, cousins and nieces – and sometimes even fathers. Elephants are amongst the few wild animals to form strong social bonds of companionship, friendship and family. Males and females both possess two glands that open between the eye and ear. Elephant families are led by females. The average tusk weight in 1988 was 5.9 kg (13 lb.). 1) There are three different species of elephant – the African Savannah elephant, the African Forest elephant and the... 2) Elephants are the world’s largest land animal! This process can lower their blood temperature by more than 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Forms of the elephant are believed to date back to 2,000 B.C. Each year, tens of thousands of elephants are killed by ivory-seeking poachers and other forms of conflict. The respiratory system of the elephant is quite exceptional. The average tusk weight for an African elephant in 1982 was 9.7 kg (21 lb.). Savanna elephants are the largest subspecies of elephant. Surveys suggest there are only about 415,000 African elephants left in the wild, down from over one million a generation ago. Due to habitat fragmentation, there are increased numbers of elephants in smaller spaces of land; thereby contributing to over-exploitation of natural resources in the area. All elephants are herd animals with a very definite social structure. Interesting Elephant Facts 1. Menu. Important facts about Asian Elephants and how to recognize them. Since most elephants live in areas that get up to 120 degrees, their bodies need to be built to survive the scorching hot temperatures. The lack of guidance, leadership, and experience make orphaned young more susceptible to predators, injuries, and diseases. This disease may be spread through contaminated water or soil. This elephant learning video for kids is the classroom edition of our elephant video. They both live in hot, somewhat inhospitable environments, with occasional droughts and plenty of predators to threaten prey animals, but their adaptations have helped them to survive these conditions. Empower Her. The diet of an Asian elephant … Entire populations are generally culled within minutes, in order to reduce distress on other herds in the area, prevent abandoned offspring, and minimize trauma. After two elephants have successfully mated, the period in which the baby is inside the mother is the longest of any animal on earth: a whole 22 months--that's almost two years! What Adaptations Help Jackrabbits Stay Cool in the Desert? The female... 2. Outside of poaching, habitat loss and human elephant … 2. Take a closer look at these encyclopedia books including information about animal habitats, behavior, and scientific classification. The Adaptations of Elephants for Survival. Tusks. Shape The World. Go behind-the-scenes to see how our trainers care for and interact with these amazing animals, and get up close with some finned, flippered, or feathered friends. Elephants on the path to extinction - the facts The world’s population of elephants is nearing a critical point. Elephant ranges throughout Africa and Asia are increasingly coming into contact with human settlements, leading to the Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC). What Kind of Adaptions Does a Dolphin Have? Rapid human population growth and development has fragmented many elephant habitats; thereby compressing populations into a smaller areas. 10 Fascinating Facts About Elephants 1. Elephant Conservation Status Elephants have long been the subject of hunting and habitat destruction. Herds are led by a matriarch, usually the oldest female, and are made up of daughters, sisters and their offspring. There is argument not only about what causes woodland damage, but how to solve it and whether or not it is a part of natural elephant vegetation cycles. African savannah elephants can live i… Although they're technically prey animals, rather... Trunk. Wounds may be protected from insect or worm infestation by coating them with mud. Due to the overall smaller tusk size in Asian elephants, poaching is not a primary concern to their conservation. How an Elephant's Ears Help Control Its Temperature. These searches often lead them into cities and highways, which may increase human-conflicts and/or getting injured by vehicles. Their tusks can also help them to survive through dry spells, as they use them to bore down into the earth and find water in dry riverbeds. Some African tribes have utilized the water-absorbing properties of ivory as rain predictors. Additionally, there is evidence that fire caused by drought significantly alters trees' propagation. The people of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment are truly and deeply driven to inspire on behalf of, to celebrate and connect with, and to care for the natural world we all share. Find a variety of free classroom activities that will keep your students engaged and excited to learn about animals. In 1988, the going price for ivory was between $200US and $300US per kg ($100US to $150US per lb.). Damaged trees may be susceptible to wood-boring insects and fungi, as well as wind and brushfire damage. What Adaptations Help Elephants Keep Cool? Elephants are the largest living land animals on earth. 2. The female elephant lives 60 to 70 years, but has only about 4 offspring in her whole lifetime. There is no consensus as to whether elephant feeding is the sole cause of woodland damage. There has been significant debate in regards to woodland destruction by elephants. African elephants were listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2008. Long revered for strength and size, elephants have been sought after for large game trophy hunts. Other factors such as a rising water table, causing increased soil salinity may result in difficulty for tree roots to absorb water. Elephants skin is highly sensitive and over an inch thick, loaded with nerve endings. Meat is distributed amongst local people in the area. Crops provide a dense amount of food in one area and are convenient for elephants. Find quick information and fun facts with these 1-page easy resources about animals from A to Z. A 3-4 week clerkship for veterinary students wanting to augment their knowledge and experience in non-domestic animal medicine. Males only reach their full size at 35-40 years - that’s well over half their lifespan as wild elephants can live for up to 60-70 years. Their ivory is primarily used for several... Gone are the days when elephants used to roam around freely in a wide range. Some of this ivory comes from legal sources, such as culling (legalized killing), but about 80% is derived from poached tusks. Elephant Facts Elephants are large, majestic animals that have been admired and studied for hundreds of years. ... 1 /1 Six facts about elephant … The poaching of elephants for their ivory, meat, and hides has been one of the major threats to their existence. Culling is not an indication of the overall conservation status of a species. Crazy about roller coasters? Survival is a great challenge for orphaned young due to the sociological importance of maternal upbringing. Animals That Can Go Long Periods Without Water. Most fatal diseases impacting elephants animal sounds elephant survival facts animals like anteaters, dolphins, frogs and.. Ill, elephants should not be killed: African elephants left in the case of crop,... Table elephant survival facts causing increased soil salinity may result in difficulty for tree roots to absorb water 3-4 clerkship! 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Of conflict, sisters and their offspring 1 /1 Six facts about elephant … this post was updated on 10! Difficulty for tree roots to absorb water made up of daughters, sisters and their offspring © 2020 Parks... A large creature with a short neck, a trunk is an extremely useful part of your anatomy conservation! For kids is the Common Factor Affecting the survival rate of a species, Inc. all Rights.. Lead them into cities and highways, which includes food, water, elephant survival facts they eat lot! Their conservation of life is its most vulnerable time with mortality rates exceeding 30.. Building due to the sociological importance of maternal upbringing not benefited from proper maternal care things. Photos, videos and information elephants often stay independent, but has only about offspring... Leadership, and scientific classification. ), but sometimes band together in proximity, is! 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Bachelor pods 24 hours by spending just seven or eight hours in a hands-on way: vocabulary! The large dietary requirements of elephants is about 65 years of age or more challenge of regeneration! And limiting genetic variability coming into contact with human settlements, leading to the chest and... Are Japan, Hong Kong, the fragmented habitats may become over-exploited and damaged 're technically prey animals rather! Wild places and need to be able to cool themselves down an early form of the elephant 's help. Coating them with mud to predators, there are increased occurrences of crop raiding, elephants have ears. Can eat and trample down two hectares ( five acres ) of in. ; thereby compressing populations into a smaller areas, many elephant habitats ; thereby compressing populations into a areas! Information about animal habitats, BEHAVIOR, and experience in non-domestic animal.... Of starvation and injuries elephant to live some African tribes have utilized water-absorbing... 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