Elephant - description, habitat, lifestyle

By elephant is meant a stately animal that is afraid of mice, but we will mention this below. Elephant by its natural features herbivorous. It is found in natural conditions, reserves, parks. Animals perform in the circus and live in zoos, but there are also domesticated elephants. In today's material we consider everything that affects these mammals. We also present the most interesting facts in order to become more familiar with the largest animals.

Description

1. These animals are rightfully considered to be giants among themselves, although in fact there are no similar mammals. The elephant's height reaches about 4 m., But there are also less dimensional individuals (2–3 m.). Each individual has a mass in the range of 3-7 tons. If we are talking about African mammals that live in savannas, they reach 8 tons in weight. The representatives of the family discussed are renowned for their thickeness, which is more than 2 cm.The skin covering the mighty body is pigmented with a gray or brown tone and has wrinkles. Adult elephants are almost not covered with vegetation, while their cubs are born with bristles.
2. The head has a large format, ears are considered a distinctive feature. They are turned out and long, wide, thick. The edges are thin, the base is compacted. Ears serve as a means of regulating heat transfer. When a mammal starts waving its ears, it cools. Elephants are famous for the fact that each of their legs is endowed with a pair of knee cups at once. Due to the characteristics of the build, these animals are one of a kind, not having to jump. In the central part of the foot pads are located, which are endowed with springy properties. Despite its weight, in the process of walking, the animals are practically silent.
3. However, special attention is still paid to the trunk. By this is meant a unique sensitive organ, which is the fusion of the upper lip and nose. The trunk consists of one hundred thousand muscle fibers and tendons, so that it is endowed with special strength and flexibility. A certain responsibility is imposed on this body to carry out certain tasks. An animal breathes through its trunk, feels, perceives, grabs food.Also, mammals use the trunk to protect, watering their own bodies with water, communication and education of the younger generation.
4. Special signs include the fact that the elephants have tusks. They continue their growth throughout the entire life cycle. It can be understood how many individuals a person is approximately by looking at powerful or not too large tusks. Tail length equals the length of the hind legs. At its end there are stiff hairs that help fight off flies and other insects. Individuals of the represented family have a specific voice. By the sounds that they make, you can recognize a whisper, lowing, roaring, quacking, etc. In general, the voice is ambiguous.
5. Separately, it makes sense to consider the ability of this animal to swim perfectly. Under the gigantic body lies a beautiful swimmer. Elephants love to swim, also know how to move quickly. While running, the speed is 50 kilometers per hour, and when walking, these massive mammals walk at a speed of 5 kilometers per hour. Studying the duration of existence, it should be noted that elephants are ranked as long-livers.Their age may be 65 years or more.

Elephant species

1. To date, there are several major varieties of these reptiles. The first are called Asian (Indian), the second - African, they are slightly larger than their fellows. Also, individuals living in the African part can be divided into groups. Elephants living in the savannah are considered the largest. Forest representatives less, they are called swamp or dwarf, preferring to live in the forests of tropical zones.
2. These Asian and African individuals have characteristic similarities and distinctive features. Earlier it was already mentioned that in Africa elephants are larger by a couple of tons. Also in mammals of this type there are tusks in all sexes, and elephants from India (females) do not have tusks. There are differences in the format of the body. The back of the torso of Indian individuals is raised.
3. In mammals that live in African countries, the ears have large dimensions. Also their trunk is thinner. A very important distinctive feature lies in the domestication.So, for example, Indian elephants with proper skill and desire will be able to tame, and African fellows will never succumb to this. For this reason, it is individuals of the Asian type who more often perform in circuses. They are still cubs get guardianship to the person and learn the basics of tricks.
4. Naturally, there are distinctive features at the genetic level. They tried to cross these varieties of proboscis, but the offspring could not be obtained. As for life expectancy, it all depends on the conditions of existence and other aspects. It is generally believed that individuals of African descent exist longer.

Habitat

1. From the above information, it can be understood that members of the family that are classified as African-type live in the appropriate area. They are common in various parts of Africa, be it Kenya, Senegal, Namibia, Sudan, Congo, etc. Individuals have taken root in Somalia and Zambia. However, most of the population is located in protected areas, since poaching is developed in Africa. These mammals love savanna, they avoid thick vegetation,preferring sparse terrain.
2. As for the proboscis representatives of the Indian type, respectively, they live in Asian countries. This includes Thailand, India, Malaysia, Laos, China, etc. These individuals prefer to live in tropical forests, they refuse to desert areas and move to where you can partially hide from the eyes. Usually settle near the bamboo. Previously, these elephants inhabited a huge part of Asia, but in the last decade the numbers have declined sharply.

Lifespan

1. In their natural environment, these mammals do not live as long as they were domesticated. Also in zoos, conservation areas and other specialized areas, elephants exist longer. In part, this aspect is due to the fact that in such places there are people who can take care of elephants and rule out diseases. And in the natural environment, the animal simply dies, because it cannot cure on its own.
2. An important role is played by a species of a particular individual. Individuals of the Asian type live for about 65 years, long-livers fall as long as 70 years, as do Africans. However, the lifespan is reduced to 50 years, if the Indian elephant does not live in captivity, but in the natural environment.
3. Of course, it is impossible not to affect the correctness of the care of these mammals.An elephant, tormented by a disease that no one can help, does not live long. Even the smallest damage to the legs can result in death. If a person looks after these giant animals, then the mammal will be easier to cope with the disease. In the natural environment, hunting is carried out on the cubs of elephants or sick proboscis.

Nutrition

1. An interesting feature of animals of this family is considered to be the fact that they spend most of their existence on the absorption of food. This process takes more than fifteen hours. With a big appetite, representatives of the trunk species absorb more than three hundred kilograms of food. Most of the diet is vegetation. Individuals lean on the grass, wild fruit trees, for example, eat apples with bananas. They even eat coffee, bark and leaves.
2. The basic food is quite diverse and depends on the area in which a particular individual lives. Of course, these giants cannot pass by cultivated varieties. They come to the plantations, eat corn, yams and other crops.Food is obtained through the trunk and tusks; elephants chew food with their molars. They are replaced by new ones after grinding.
3. As for the food of elephants in captivity, they are often given a lot of greens and hay in the zoo. In addition, the presented individuals constantly enjoy various root vegetables, watermelons, bran, bananas and even bread.
4. It is worth noting the interesting fact that in the wild, the animals in question eat about 300 kg per day. products. At the same time in the zoo they make up a special diet. Elephant give only 30 kg. hay, 10 kg. vegetables and the same amount of bread.
5. Do not forget that the huge mammals love water and consume it in large quantities. Therefore, an adult individual needs about 250 liters per day. water. It is for this very reason that elephants almost always try to stay near water bodies.

Breeding

1. Under free conditions, such animals are more accustomed to form family herds. In this case, there are about 10-12 individuals. In such a family is surely present a mature leader. There will also be her sisters, daughters and immature males.
2. It is the female in the family of elephants that is a hierarchical link. She reaches sexual maturity only by the age of 12.At about the age of 16 she becomes ready to bear offspring. When males reach puberty, they leave the herd. This happens when they turn 15 to 20 years old.
3. As a result, they begin to lead a single life. Every year, males fall into an aggressive state. This is due to a surge in testosterone. This condition persists for 2 months. In the course of this, serious battles often take place between the clans. They always end up with injuries and traumas.
4. It is worth noting that even in such fights there are pluses. Experienced brethren stop young elephants from mating at an early age. The youngsters are simply not ready yet for adult life. Therefore, competition should be.
5. It is surprising that the seasonality of the weather does not affect the reproduction of the individual in question. In the mating season, the male approaches the herd as soon as he feels that the female is ready for mating. In normal times, the males are loyal to each other.
6. However, during the breeding season, they arrange among themselves marriage fights. Only the winner will be able to approach the female. It is also noteworthy that the female’s pregnancy lasts about 20 months. After that, she creates her own society, in which she prepares for childbirth.
7. Other females try to protect the parturient from various dangers. Often a baby elephant weighing about 100 kg is born. Only rarely do females have twins. After only 2 hours, he can already stand up and move independently. The cub almost immediately sticks to the mother's milk.
8. Just a few days later, the baby can already fully travel along with adults. In order not to get lost, he grabs his trunk tail with his trunk. Feeding lasts up to 2 years. At the same time, all females that produce milk are often involved in the process. From six months of age, the baby begins to taste food of plant origin.

Elephants and mice

1. Many people know that the individuals represented are very afraid of mice, but not everyone knows what this is connected with. It is more likely to be considered a myth than true. There is an ancient legend, as if a huge number of mice in ancient times attacked elephants.
2. In the course of this, the rodents nibbled the feet of the giants almost to the bone. In addition, the mice made holes in the flesh of the elephants.It is for the same reason that now the giants are now sleeping, not lying, but standing up. However, if you think logically, many animals sleep in this position.
3. For example, horses are sleeping while they are standing, but they do not have a drop of fear towards rodents. One can only assume that if the elephant will rest lying down, the mouse can crawl into his trunk. The rodent will simply block his oxygen supply and the giant will suffocate. Moreover, such cases were recorded several times.
4. In addition, there is another theory, and it is quite ridiculous. Mice allegedly climb up on the giant and tickle his skin badly because of their tenacious paws. For this reason, the elephant always wants to itch, but it is extremely difficult to make it to him.
5. Fortunately, all such myths, legends and assumptions have been debunked by scholars in the modern world. Elephants are absolutely indifferent to rodents. They even live peacefully with them in zoos and aviaries. Giants even allow them to feast on their remnants of food. Therefore, the hostility here even speech can not be.

Why do elephants have a nose in the form of a trunk?

1. It is because of the trunk that elephants differ from all other animals. We can assume that this is the most spectacular part of the body.In length, the trunk of an adult individual can grow up to 1.5 m. At the same time, its weight can reach about 150 kg. It is worth noting that such a part of the body is simply necessary for the giant. This can be compared to how a person needs hands, tongue or nose.
2. Surprisingly, the ancient ancestors of elephants lived in the swamps, while the trunk was very small and was a process. Thanks to him, the animals breathed when they were under the water. In the course of evolution, which lasted millions of years, from ancient descendants animals turned into giant elephants with a long trunk. This was due to the adaptation to the new conditions.
3. Thanks to the trunk, the elephants move heavy objects without problems if they need it. Also, the animal can get a juicy fruit from palm trees. With a trunk, elephants collect water from water bodies in order to get drunk or make a shower for themselves when there is unbearable heat. Surprisingly, elephants are trained to wield their trunk from an early age. These skills are taught by adults.

Elephants are considered to be unique animals. They are long-lived. Also among the individuals there are right and left-handers. Such features are not peculiar to animals.Giants communicate with each other at very low frequencies. They have a unique structure of the hearing aid. Elephants can hear each other at a great distance.

Video: Elephant (Elephas maximus)