The African Bush Elephant, also known as the African Savanna Elephant, is one of the most recognizable land mammals and is known simply as an elephant by kids all over the world. There are only three species left from a once populous Elephantidae Proboscidea order: The Asian Elephant, the African Forest and Bush Elephants.

Because these animals are not hard to miss, biologists have studied them extensively and discovered several extinct members of the elephant family. The extinct Mastodon and Woolly Mammoth of the Americas are related to elephants. Elephants still roam free in sections of Africa but are dwindling quickly.

Fun Elephant Facts:

• Elephants are the largest terrestrial animal on the planet. The largest is the blue whale. The common weight of an elephant is around 11 tons. It takes more than 30 elephants to match a blue whale’s weight.
• Bull African Bush Elephants can stand as high as 13 feet at the shoulders.
• Elephants only eat plants and trees and average about 350 pounds of vegetation each day.
• As of 2022, an estimated 400,000 to 500,000 wild elephants are still living.
• United States zoos have 305 elephants.
• Female elephants have a 4-month gestation period and are usually pregnant for 22 months.
• An elephant has around 50,000 muscles in its trunk and is strong enough to lift 3% of its body weight.
• Elephants are matriarchal animals that live in packs with moms, sisters, babies, and other young elephants. Adult male bulls live alone or in small bachelor groups.
• Elephants can live up to 70 years.
• The massive ears release body heat because elephants, like dogs, don’t sweat.
• Elephants have creased skin that traps water inside, which helps them cool down.