elephant

Elephants are the largest land mammals, native to Africa and Asia. They belong to the order Proboscidea and are the most conspicuous survivors of a once-widespread lineage. The two living genera are Loxodonta, in Africa, and Elephas, in Asia. The two widely recognized species are the African elephant (Loxodonta africana) and the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus); a distinct African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) is sometimes treated as a separate species or as a subspecies of L. africana.

Elephants are distinguished by a trunk, a highly versatile muscular extension of the upper lip and nose used for breathing, smelling, touching, grasping, and vocalizing. African elephants typically have larger ears than Asians, which aid in thermoregulation. In African elephants both sexes commonly bear tusks, whereas in Asian elephants tusks are mainly found in males. The trunk tip anatomy varies by population, with African elephants carrying two finger-like projections and Asian elephants one.

They inhabit a range of environments, from savannas and grasslands to tropical forests, and require regular access to water. They are herbivores, consuming grasses, leaves, bark, fruit, and other vegetation, and can travel long distances in search of food and water. Their social structure is usually matriarchal, with older females leading multi-generational family groups; adult males are more solitary. They communicate through a variety of vocalizations and use low-frequency sounds capable of traveling long distances.

Conservation remains a major concern. Elephants face habitat loss, fragmentation, and poaching for ivory. IUCN assessments place African savanna elephants as endangered and Asian elephants as endangered, with African forest elephants often considered critically endangered. Protection, anti-poaching efforts, and habitat preservation are critical to their continued survival.