Africa is distinguished by its great diversity of animals, and among these is one of the two species of African elephants, the Loxodonta africana, popularly known as the African bush elephant. Although in general all proboscideans are large, this one is specifically the largest terrestrial mammal today, surpassing the rest of the species with the which is related. In addition to being endowed with a huge body, it is characterized by a unique intelligence, which makes these animals quite peculiar beings.
On our site we present you on this occasion a file on the African elephant of the savannah, through which you will be able to find out specific to this species, which despite its strength and size, has been the victim of poaching to illegally market parts of its body, in addition to an atrocious activity called sport hunting. We invite you to continue reading to learn more about these fascinating animals.
Characteristics of the African Savannah Elephant
As we have mentioned, this elephant exceeds all of its group in size, reaching a length of up to 7 m and a height of 4 m. Regarding weight, it can vary between 6-7 tons Although heavier individuals have been identified, in general, males are larger than females. In addition to the features described, they are distinguished from Asian elephants because their ears are considerably more prominent, in fact, there are those who say that they have the shape of the African continent.
In addition, they have a large brain, equivalent to the size of their entire head, while their necks are quite small. Both males and females have fangs curved upwards, although in the latter they are usually a little smaller. For its part, its long and muscular trunk is made up of thousands of muscles, and its distal end ends in two lobes, which are shaped like fingers. These elephants can pick up a leaf with their long nose and even something as heavy as a log.
Their wonderful bodies are supported by the structure of their large bone system, but also by the presence of their large and long legs. The front ones usually have 4 nails, while the back ones have 3. An outstanding aspect of the species is the presence of pads on these extremities, which are highly sensitive and can perceive vibrations from other elephants, earthquakes or even underground water movements.
The African bush elephant has a thick but delicate skin, with the presence of fine wrinkles and very few hairs, and its coloration is between gray and brown.
Habitat of the African bush elephant
This species has traditionally had a wide range of distribution, being found in around 37 countries on the African continent However, they became extinct from some areas such as Burundi, Gambia, Mauritania and Swaziland, although in the latter they were reintroduced between the 1980s and 1990s. Although this elephant has a wide distribution range in Central, Eastern and southern, the fragmentation of their habitat has had a significant increase negatively impacting these animals.
The African elephant can range through several types of habitats, including:
- Forests.
- Bed sheets.
- Bush.
- Grassland.
- Wetlands.
- Desert areas (eventually).
- Ecosystems adjacent to marine-coastal areas.
In this sense, it is present in dense forests, open or closed savannahs and some small populations near the arid deserts of Namibia and Mali. Similarly, it can occupy different height and latitude ranges, so they are found from mountain slopes to beaches, and also in the northern tropics and areas southern temperate.
Customs of the African Savannah Elephant
These elephants, as well as the rest of the members of the Elephantidae family, usually live in groups, generally made up of females, they are directed by a matriarch, who guides them along the path to follow on their long journeys and shows them the places that are sources of water. This last aspect is vital, since they require consuming large amounts of this liquid daily. In addition, they also enjoy taking baths and spraying themselves with the water they drink and spread through their tubes.
Despite their thick skin, it is relatively delicate, so they tend to take baths with earth, for which they also use their trunk. In this way, they are protected from the action of the sun's rays, as well as from the bites of certain insects.
Because they live in places with high temperatures, they often use their large ears to fan themselves and thus disperse a little body heat. Likewise, they can extend these structures to each side of the body when they are upset and ready to attack.
African savanna elephants are not as easily domesticated, or at least not as their Asian relatives. Due to their large size and strength, they are less used for human activities, however, this does not free them from poaching.
Feeding of the African bush elephant
These animals are generalist herbivores and daily consume large amounts of vegetation, such as leaves, roots, branches, fruits, seeds and bark of the trees. When they fail to reach the desirable parts of a tree, they end up cutting it down to consume them. Once they take the food, they carry it with their trunk to their mouth, where they grind it with large and strong molars. These dental structures can be renewed several times, since over time they wear out due to use However, there comes a time in the animal's adulthood that there is no dental renewal, so that approximately between 60 and 70 years, this can cause death due to the impossibility of feeding properly.
Elephants also require certain minerals, which they can obtain by stirring up the soil with their large tusks and consuming portions of the substrate. On the other hand, when water is scarce at the surface level, they also use their tusks to dig and find underground water, which they have previously detected through the pads on their paws.
For more information, you can consult this other article on What do elephants eat?
Reproduction of the African bush elephant
These elephants can mate at any time of the year, however, it will depend on the decision of the female. When she feels ready, she will let it be known through the emission of infrasounds or vibrations emitted with her legs, that the males outside the herd will pick up and begin to approach. When this occurs, an inevitable showdown ensues between the breeding males, who use their long tusks in the fight. The winner, as long as the female accepts it, will have the privilege of impregnating her, after some friction between her bodies. These animals do not form pairs, so once the act of copulation is done, the male will leave the herd again.
After 22 months of gestation a baby is born, which will measure about 90 cm and weigh about 100 kg. At approximately 6 months, he will begin to consume food, but he will intersperse it with breast milk until he is 5 years old on average. Usually when there is a newborn, the rest of the females participate in its care. Later, when it can move and the herd continues on its way, they continue to pay attention to the baby elephant.
Conservation status of the African bush elephant
Hunting continues to be a problem affecting the African bush elephant, despite efforts to make it illegal. This activity is developed to obtain the ivory tusks of these mammals and, also, in some cases to consume their meat and use your skin in crafting items. On the other hand, in some areas the “sport”hunting of these animals has been allowed for a long time, however, this action should not be considered sport, because it is an aberrant act that should be eliminated. Additionally, habitat fragmentation is an aspect that also has a negative impact on the species.
Among the conservation measures, aspects such as high fines for identified hunters have been established. On the other hand, although there are distribution areas where the species is protected, there are still many populations outside these protected areas. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has placed the African bush elephant in the vulnerable category
This species of elephant is not among the most critical in terms of its population levels, however, it is necessary to improve and continue advancing in terms of conservation measures, to ensure that the number of individuals do not drop to critical levels. Undoubtedly, public policies, together with non-governmental initiatives, in the countries where this animal lives, are fundamental for its protection, as well as the development of educational and awareness programs towards the various forms of life on the planet.
