Elephant
From CreationWiki, the encyclopedia of creation science
| Elephant |
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| Scientific Classification |
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| Genera and Species |
Elephants are the largest land animals in Class Mammalia. They are in the order Proboscidea, because of their trunks. They have characteristics which set them apart from other animals: large ears, a trunk with two finger-like appendages, and ivory tusks. There are two types of elephants: Asian Elephants and African Elephants.
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Anatomy
Elephants have very thick skin, which is usually about an inch thick, and as sensitive as humans'. Their skin weighs about 10% of their total weight. Elephants walk on their tiptoes. Their feet have a cushion that helps support their weight, and because the weight is so evenly spread, they walk silently.
An elephant has a trunk, which makes it pretty unique. The trunk is the elephant's only way to breathe. It contains 16 muscles and 150,000 fascicles (units of muscle). Its trunk is very strong and can be used for many things, including: lifting, holding and spraying up to two gallons of water, holding and spraying dust, and picking up and placing food in its mouth.
Tusks begin to grow at about six months. A male elephant has thicker and heavier tusks than a female's (only female African Elephants have tusks). The tusks are actually modified incisor teeth. These tusks can grow up to ten feet, but are usually broken or worn down before they grow that long. They can grow in many different directions.
Reproduction
Elephants reproduce sexually. Female elephants become reproductive at about the age of 12, and males in their teens. Their gestation period lasts about 22 months, at the end of which the mother gives birth to one live calf. An elephant will usually give birth to a calf every four to six years. The female's first birth is typically unsuccessful because of her lack of experience.
Ecology
A family of elephants can consist of 2-40 (often related) elephants. The largest and strongest female is the matriarch of the group. She uses her years of knowledge to guide her family to food and water. Elephants stay within their group for protection and communication. They might split into smaller groups depending on supply of food and size of the group. At age 14, males tend to leave the group to live on their own and look for a mate.
In the wild, elephants can live into their 50s or 60s. But 50% only live to be 15, and 20% live to be 30.
Elephants live in Africa and southeastern parts of Asia. In those continents they live in many different types of areas: grasslands, marshes, forests, deserts, and mountains. They are herbivores and need large supplies of food and water. Because they can eat all the food resources of an area quickly, they tend to move a lot in a loop-like pattern.
Gallery
 African Bush Elephant |
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Related References
See Also
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