Olifant

Olifant is the Dutch word for elephant, a large herbivorous mammal in the family Elephantidae. The term is used for both African and Asian elephants. The name derives from Latin elephantus, via Old French elefant, and was adopted into Dutch as olifant.

There are two living genera: Loxodonta (African elephants) and Elephas (Asian elephants). African elephants include the savannah (Loxodonta africana) and forest (Loxodonta cyclotis) species; Asian elephants are Elephas maximus. Notable differences: African elephants have larger ears and two finger-like tips at the end of the trunk; Asian elephants have smaller ears and a trunk tip with one finger. In terms of tusks, African elephants commonly have tusks in both sexes, whereas in Asian elephants tusks are primarily present in males and often absent in females.

Ecology and behavior: Elephants are highly social, usually forming matriarchal herds led by an elder female; bulls roam independently for much of adulthood. They are mixed feeders, consuming grasses, leaves, fruit, and bark. Gestation lasts about 22 months; calves remain with the herd for many years.

Conservation: Elephants face poaching for ivory and habitat loss. Several populations have declined, though some persist in protected areas. The IUCN lists African and Asian elephants as threatened, with international measures restricting ivory trade aimed at aiding recovery.

In culture and language, olifant names appear in art, heraldry, and literature as symbols of memory and strength.