Everyone knows that elephants are the largest land mammals.But everyone knows that in Africa, home to both the largest representatives of the animal and the smallest of them?And how much weight the elephant, living in the rainforest?Let's try to answer these and other questions relating to the wonderful animal family Elephantidae.
More recently, they are divided into two types: the African and Indian.Today, scientists believe that the inhabitants of Africa have to share for two separate types: savannah and forest.And the reason for this are not only different habitats, but also some other features, such as how much an elephant weighs each species.
giants from Africa
researchers suggest that savanna elephants as a species appeared about 1.9 million years ago, and the forest - 1.7 million. Years.Moreover, biologists conducted numerous studies have shown that East African representatives of these animals, there are significant differences in the DNA, and they should also be identified as a separate species.
of the entire family of elephants are the smallest - forest.Average growth have about 2.5 meters, and body length ranges from 1.6 to 2.8 meters.What is the weight of the elephant species?Yes, less than all the rest!Although the dimensions of the males slightly more females, rarely one of them weighs more than 5 tons.
There are several features that distinguish forestry representatives from the savannah:
- presence of a thick wool;
- rounded shape of the ears, which helps them to cool the body;
- number of sweat glands is much smaller;
- tusks straight and thin.
Normally mature males live separately and females gather in groups of a few individuals, which includes their young.Live tree giants in the tropical forests of central and western part of the continent.
When the question arises of how much an elephant weighs, then always given the example of a response regarding inmate African savannah.And it is no coincidence.African bush elephant is the largest land animals.With growth of 3.5 meters and a body length of about 7 meters it can reach a weight of 5-7 tons.Females are lighter males, as well as their shorter length tusks.In 1975, Angola was shot and killed by hunters is the largest representative of this species, weighing 12.2 tons.
In addition to its large size, African bush elephant differs from other huge ears, a saddle on his back, smooth forehead and a dark-haired young individuals, abrade over time.The herd is dominated by family environment.When the danger of animals together to protect children and wounded colleagues.Between themselves, they fight very rarely.This species is distributed south of the Sahara desert.
Agility and strength giants
Although much it weighs a massive animal, the elephant is very mobile and has a certain dexterity.They are easy to move around not only in the plains, but also on a hilly terrain, even able to climb the steep slopes.In addition, the great giants swim.Slowly they can go nonstop all day, above the water surface is visible only the tip of the trunk.
There are very quiet animals, the whole family can go through the thicket, not hrustnuv audio sprig.His leisurely pace, they can travel long distances of tens of kilometers.
