African Elephant (Loxodonto africana)

The largest living land mammal, easily identified by its long, highly mobile and sensitive trunk, very large  ears and two tusks extending from the upper jaw. It can be distinguished form the Indian elephant by its large ears, which it uses as a heath regulator.

They have grey brown skin, virtually hairless except at the tip of the  tail. They usually take the natural colouration of the soils as a result of frequent mud and dust bathing. The most fascinating feature of the elephant is its tusk and its trumpet.

The trumpet is very muscular, and can tear up a tree by its root! The trumpet has many purposes: breathing and smelling, gathering food, drinking and showering. Both sexes have tusks, which can grow up to several meters.

Elephants are often spotted in large groups of females and babies, while the males are chased away as soon as they are old enough to manage on their own. Males appear in the mating season only, the rest of the time they wander about alone or in small groups.

Females gather food and protect their babies against predators.