The Asian Elephant

Before you read this, don't just run outside and tell your friends that there is only one species of elephant. While the African elephant may be the most well known, there are actually three types of elephants in Africa - the bush elephant, the forest elephant and the pygmy elephant - as well as the Asian elephant. This post is going to talk about the Asian elephant. The scientific name, Elephas Maximus, means "largest ox."

The Asian elephant is the largest animal in Asia, weighing 6,600 to 11,000 pounds and measuring 21 to 25 feet long and up to 9 feet tall. They live in tropical forests across much of southern and southeast Asia. Asian elephants are herbivores, eating up to 33 pounds of grasses, leaves and bark per day! They also like bananas. 

Asian elephants have tough gray/brown skin with a little bit of stiff, dark hair. Only the males, called bulls, have tusks that can grow up to five feet long! They have large, round feet with four nails on their hind feet. Asian elephants can live for a very long time - up to 70 years! They live in groups of about 20 females and children called herds. The oldest female - probably the grandma - is the leader. All elephants form close bonds with each other. The adults protect the children from danger and they show affection by bumping trunks and rubbing their bodies together. 

Asian elephants are one of the smartest animals in the world and have great memories. They use tools to do different things. They use sticks to scratch their backs and can move things out of the way with their trunks. They are smaller than African elephants, but their brains are much bigger. There are other differences between Asian and African elephants too. Asian elephants have smaller ears and have flat or humped backs, while African elephants have a dip in their backs. Asian elephants have one "finger" on their trunks, while African elephants have two. 

Asian elephants are endangered due to hunting and habitat loss. Scientists think they are only about 60,000 left today. We need to help save the elephants! 

Cool Fact: Asian elephants and great swimmers and can swim underwater. They hold their trunks above the water like a snorkel!