today know all about the elephants are not there, probably not a single person who would not have heard anything about these amazing animals.Yes, and see them now is not a big problem - they are found in almost all major zoos, circuses perform in many of the world.And that's about where the elephant lives in nature, know not all.
detachment of these animals now has only two species: the African and Indian.Others, such as mammoths and mastodons, American, have already become extinct.As the species name is easy to determine where the elephant lives.The African savannas are found in this continent, in the central and northern parts of it, Indian - in the South-East and South Asia, because of this they are called Asian.In the past, the distribution of these amazing animals was significantly greater, they lived on all continents except Australia and Antarctica.
Who are they and how to look
Unlike ancient ancestors, modern elephants have only one pair of tusks, and there are no incisors and canines.They have a massive skeleton, nearly 15% of body weight.On a thick skin are sparse hair, while the newborn elephants more ragged.
These animals are endowed by nature with an amazing part of the body - the trunk, which plays in the lives of elephants is very important.The trunk has a large force, he can lift the weight of one ton.
the territory, home to elephant, these animals move in herds, which include several dozen females, juveniles and young elephants.The head of the adult leader of the herd.Singles are rare and represent a danger to people, as they are more aggressive than their cousins herd.
most of his life in the movement of animals is carried out, is slowly moving from place to place, eating the leaves and bark from trees.Although they look awkward, if necessary, can move with surprising ease.Their limbs are not only reliable support, but also allow to move on any surface, even through the swamp.As land animals, they are, nevertheless, good swimmers are able to float without stopping the whole day.
average life expectancy of an elephant as a man of 50-70 years.But to a great age animals rarely survive.In the area where the elephant lives, a lot of wild animals - lions, hyenas, wild dogs, posing a threat to the giants.
By knowing the elephants can be compared only to dolphins, dogs and monkeys.They have an excellent memory, and they last a lifetime remember the places where they were bad people or offended them.
Elephants in India
Asian species is easily distinguished from the African, as they have different ancestors, and they even superficially look different.Indian representatives lighter and weigh an average of up to 6 tons.They have a humped back, while at the African she caved.Indian have a high forehead, ears, triangular in shape and is almost three times less than that of counterparts from Africa.Another difference - a smooth trunk with a flexible appendage at the end.
In Asia, these majestic animals are always treated with respect.Special reverence for him famous India - elephants in the country simply idolize.Hindu god of wisdom Ganesha is depicted as a man with an elephant's head.None of the big holiday in this country can not do without elephants in magnificently cleaned caparisons.
