"Symbolise wisdom, strength, moderation and eternity."

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elephant tusks

The African elephant is part of our 'Big Five'.  It is the largest land mammal and the bulkiest.  A prime bull can weigh up to 6000 kilograms, although some forest-dwelling African elephants are rather small.  The largest African elephants are 7.5 metres long, including the tusks.

These large animals that live up to 70 years, are native to many parts of Southern, Central and Eastern Africa.  They occur in grasslands, river valleys, forests and deserts.  Elephants are strictly vegetarian, eating large amounts of grass, soft branches, tree bark, roots, leaves and fruit.

Some of the families join to form herds.  In these herds, bulls may mate with several cows.  The mother then decides on a clear place, usually near water, to give birth, while other females sometimes stand guard to protect her and the offspring.  A tiny, pink calf is produced after 22 months and will travel with the herd and be protected until it grows to be big and strong.

Did you know that the legend about elephants going off to die in a special "elephant graveyard"  is not true?  Does anyone know where this story originated?

Tusks

Elephants have elongated incisor teeth on each side of the upper jaw.  Both sexes of the African elephant have tusks, whereas in the Asian elephant only males have tusks.  Tusks are valued for their ivory.

Trunk

An elephant's trunk is a useful tool.  Firstly, they use their trunks to suck up water and squirt it into their mouths.  Secondly, they use it to strip branches and bark from trees  and even uproot them.  They have tremendous power in their trunks.

Ears

Elephant ears are fan-shaped and are up to 1,5 metres long.  Elephants flap their ears vigorously and trumpet loudly when threatened.  They can be extremely dangerous when in season and with young.

Legs and feet

Elephants have massive legs which are almost equally wide from top to bottom.  At the end of these columnar shaped legs are broad, round feet with three toes.  The Asian elephant has four (sometimes five) toes on each hind foot.