 |
 |
 |
|---|
see some jewellery... big5 .......... baby big 5 .... more
ELEPHANT
World's largest mammal
NDLOVU (Zulu) - The Elephant is the largest land mammal in the World. It is generally placid but is extremely dangerous when threatened or in season (sexually aroused). The
Elephant was hunted remorselessly in the past for its ivory and is still poached for profit. The African record for a pair of tusk is an unbelievable 200kg.
The trunk, a most versatile organ, can perform a variety of operations - plucking food, sucking up water for drinking or spraying - with the double pointed end-tip it is able to
manipulate tiny objects. The ears are very large and serve as radiators, cooling the blood. They also indicate mood, being held outward when charging. Tusks are used for digging, breaking branches for food and fighting.
Social organisation is female dominated-matriarchal. A family group comprises the female and her young with perhaps several other related females. Males live alone or in herds,
joining family groups for breeding. Fighting over females is rare but can result in severe injuries. Mothers and other females are very protective in their care of the young who are always at risk from predators.
DETAIL
(Loxodonta africana) Adult male mass 5500 to 6000kg, shoulder height 4m. Elephants live for about 70 years.
