Saturday, February 26, 2011

The Elephant

Elephants are the largest land mammals, living in areas of Africa and Asia.

Elephants eat vegetation like grass, roots, bamboo, leaves, and bark. Adults can eat 300-400 pounds of food a day.

1 calf is born after a gestation period of 22 months. Twins are rare. Elephant family bonds are strong, and a group of females lives in a group called a herd.

The herd is led my the oldest female, who is called a matriarch. Herds can have 8-100 elephants at once. Calves are protected by the whole herd, and male calves leave the family at 12-15 years of age.

Elephants have a good memory. it is this memory that allows matriarchs to guide the herd to water holes and feeding grounds.

Elephants have no bones in their trunks, just muscle that lets them pick up things with great dexterity.



sources: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Wild-Animals-705/elephant-herds.htm
http://www.defenders.org/wildlife_and_habitat/wildlife/elephant.php

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