Curiosities of the elephant

Elephants are the largest mammals on the planet that live on the earth's crust.They are only overcome in size and weight for some of the gigantic marine mammals that inhabit the oceans.

There are two species of elephant: the African and the Asian, with some subspecies that inhabit different habitats.As you know, the elephant is considered a bearer of good luck.

If you continue reading Animal Expert you will be able to know some curiosities of the elephant that will interest you and cause astonishment either related to feeding, your daily activities or while you sleep :

Curiosities about the types of elephant that exist

To begin with we will detail the three types of elephants that exist on planet earth and then we will detail curiosities and peculiar elements that some of them have.

1.The African savanna elephant

In Africa there are two species of elephant: the savanna elephant, Loxodonta africana , and the forest elephant, Loxodonta cyclotis .

The savanna elephant is larger than the forest.There are specimens that measure up to 7 meters in length , and 4 meters to the cross, reaching weighing 7 tons .The elephant in the wild lives about 50 years, and dies when its teeth get worn out and can not chew more food.For this reason captive elephants can live much longer, since they receive more attention and cures from their caretakers.

The arrangement of the ones on their legs is as follows: 4 in the front and 3 in the rear.The savanna elephant It is a threatened species.Its greatest threats are poachers who seek the ivory of their fangs and the urbanization of their territories.

2.The African forest elephant

The African forest elephant is smaller that of the savanna.Normally does not exceed 2.5 meters in height to the cross.The arrangement of the ones on their legs is similar to those of the Asian elephants: 5 on the front legs and 4 on the legs rear.

This species of proboscide inhabits the jungles and equatorial forests in whose thick frond they hide.These elephants have a beautiful pink ivory that makes them very vulnerable to the appetite of hunting by the heartless poachers who harass them.For years, the ivory trade has been banned internationally, but the illegal trade p rosigue.It is a threatened species.

3.Asian elephants

There are four subspecies of the Asian elephant: the elephant of Sri Lanka, Elephas maximus maximus ; Indian elephant, Elephas maximus indicus ; Sumatran elephant, Elephas maximus sumatrensis ; Borneo elephant, Elephas maximus borneensis .

The morphological differences between Asian and African elephants are notable.Asian elephants are smaller: 4 to 5 meters, and 3 , 5 meters to the cross.Their ears are noticeably smaller, and on the back has a slight giba .The fangs are smaller, and we can even emphasize that the females do not have fangs .

Asian elephants are in serious danger of extinction.Despite the fact that many of them are domesticated, the fact that in captive state they almost never reproduce and that the progress of agriculture diminishes its natural habitat, its existence is seriously threatened.

Physical curiosities of elephants

Elephants' ears are large, very vascularly irrigated organs that serve to effectively thermoregulate.So, the ears help them dissipate body heat , or do you not never observed how they fan with their ears to air?

The trunk is another distinctive organ of elephants that serves them for multiple functions: showering, taking food and bringing them to the mouth ; uproot trees and bushes, clean your eyes, or lay earth on the back to deworm .Also, the tube has more than 100.00 different muscles, isn't it amazing?

The legs of the elephants are very particular, they resemble strong columns that support the gigantic mass of their body.The elephants walk at a speed of 4-6 km/h., but if they are angry or fleeing, they can move to more than 40 Km/h .In addition, it is curious to mention that, despite having four legs, its gigantic weight does not allow it to jump.

Social curiosities of elephants

Elephants live in herds of related females with each other and their young.Male elephants leave the herd when they reach adolescence and live in isolated groups or carry solitary stocks.adults approach the herds when they detect females in heat.

An old female is the matriarch that leads the herd to new water sources and pastures.Adult elephants consume about 200 kg of leaves daily dedicating between 15 and 16 hours to meals, therefore, they must move continuously in search of areas with new available food.On the other hand, they can drink up to 15 liters of water in one shot.

Elephants use different sounds to communicate or express themselves.To call each other at distance they use infrasound not audible by humans .

Through the soles of their legs they feel the vibrations of the infrasound before hearing them with their ears (the so nest travels faster through the ground than through the air.) The difference in time between picking up the vibrations and hearing the sound allows them to calculate very accurately the direction and distance of the call.

The memory of elephants

The brain of elephants weighs 5 Kg ., and is the largest among terrestrial beings.In the area destined for memory covers a large part.For that reason elephants they have a great memory .

I remember that on one occasion I saw a television report in which they gave the news of the incorporation of a female elephant to the city zoo.determined moment the microphone used by the announcer was coupled, emitting an annoying beep very close to the proboscido.The elephant was frightened, and enraged began to chase the announcer, who had to throw himself into the pit that surrounded the fenced perimeter of the installation to move away from the danger.

Years later the television crew covered another piece of news in that enclosure.For a few seconds the presenter was located next to some bars that formed a side door of the elephants installation, sighting in the distance female with whom the announcer had the problem.

Surprisingly, it was seen that the elephant picks up a stone from the ground with the trunk and in a fast movement threw the rocker hard against the television equipment, not getting the speaker's body right by millimeters.This is a Sample of memory, in this case spiteful , that elephants possess.

The must and the seismic forecast

The must is a strange eventual madness that cyclically Asian male elephants can suffer.During these periods they become very dangerous, attacking anything or person who approaches them."Domesticated" elephants must remain chained by a huge tree leg for the duration of the must.A terrible and stressful practice for them.

Elephants, as in other animal species are sensitive to natural catastrophes , and can intuit them in advance.

In 2004, an extraordinary case occurred in Thailand.During a tourist excursion, the elephants employed were they began to cry and with the tubes began to pick up the surprised tourists, depositing them in the large baskets of their loins, then they fled to the highlands, saving the humans from the terrible tsunami that appeared during those Christmases all zone.

This is proof that although the human being has submitted to this huge and beautiful animal, he has been able to help him at certain moments in history.

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