Elephants

Elephants are large herbivorous mammals that are separated into three distinct species, and although they share many characteristics, they all have some unique features. African bush Elephants are the largest of the three species, have the largest ears, and tusks that curve outward. African forest Elephants are slightly smaller than their savannah dwelling cousins, and darker in color. The most obvious difference between the two species is that the forest species have tusks that are straight and pointed downward. Asian Elephants are more distinct from the two African species and are the smallest of the three species. Asian Elephants have much smaller ears with large domed heads. In Asian elephant populations, only some male Elephants have tusks, compared to in African populations where both Males and Females can have tusks. All Elephants have very thick skin which protects them from the heat and retains important water, and they constantly work to clean their skin by taking baths and using dirt and mud as sunscreen.

Elephants are herbivores and have a diet that consists of grasses, shrubs, roots, leaves, fruit, and occasionally even branches, bark, and twigs. Elephants spend around 80% of their day foraging since they need a lot of nutrients to fuel their giant bodies. Their trunks act as a a very useful and important tool to use to forage and eat, as their trunks are entirely prehensile, meaning capable of grasping. Their trunks are capable of complex movement and act like an extra arm. Elephants will also use them to dig in the ground and on hillsides for minerals to eat that may not be present in the plants around them, which are essential for their bodies.

Elephants face many threats in the wild, the biggest being human development and poaching. Elephant habitat has significantly shrunk over the past 100 years, and restricted Elephant habitat to only a fraction of what it once was. This puts Elephants at risk of losing food and water sources, but also causes conflict between humans and Elephants when Elephants enter human developments. The poaching of Elephants for their tusks has been a huge threat to Elephant populations for hundreds of years. Elephant tusks are made of a material called ivory, which is illegally sold for a very high price. Although the sale of ivory and hunting of Elephants has been illegal for some time, Elephants are continuing to be hunted for their tusks. Many organizations put their lives on the line to help protect Elephant populations from illegal poaching, however, since ivory is still worth a lot of money, Elephants are continuously hunted.

Elephants are amazing and special creatures that need help to keep their populations thriving. Luckily, some Elephants are already developing special adaptations of their own to help! In certain herds in Mozambique, Elephants are beginning to be born without tusks due to a gene that is continuing to get passed down from mother to calf. Without tusks, these Elephants are not being hunted. This rare gene may be helping some populations, but evolutionary adaptations alone will not save the Elephants! Ways you can help include, buying Elephant safe products, supporting conservation efforts, and educating others on the plight of Elephants. Elephants live in many places where coffee is grown and wood is harvested. By buying products that do not affect Elephant habitat, you are helping save their homes. If you can, donate! Donations to non-profit organizations and conservations efforts are essential to the ongoing fight for Elephants. Tell people about Elephants and learn all you can! The more people who know Elephants need help, the more support those on the front lines will receive to help save the Elephants.