WILDLIFE SOUTH AFRICA |
| AFRICAN ELEPHANT
|
Latin Name: Loxodonta
africana Afrikaans: Olifant |
 |
Distribution: |
Some National Parks especially the Kruger National Park (with the largest concentration of Elephants in South Africa) and Addo Elephant National Park . Also occur in some private game reserves |
Habitat: |
Woodlands and savannah shrubland, bush thickets |
| Habits: |
Breeding herds up to 50 or more. When herds congregate a few hundred can gather with a matriarchs (adult cows) as leaders. Adult Bulls are solitary or gather in Bachelor herds but Adult Bulls join breeding herds when cows are in oestrus. Elephants feed in large areas and congregate at water. When drinking at dams or pools they are not fond of other animals close to them, will often chase them away and in some cases killing them. Despite their size, they can move very softly. Elephants are some of the most “intelligent” animals on earth. |
Difference between bull and cow: |
Bulls have a more rounded head and are larger, with bigger tusks.
The head of the female is angular. Mass and height – Bulls 4800 to more than 6000 – Cows 3800 to 5000 – Adult bull height at shoulder 3 to 4 metres cows less than 3 m |
| Lifespan: |
55 to 65 years on average |
| Breeding / Gestation: |
Usually only one calf is born after a gestation period of about 22 months – They calf throughout the year |
| Diet: |
Tree bark, shoots, leaves, tree branches, wild fruit, grass, reeds
and roots. Elephants need enough clean sweet water on a regular basis.
The adult African Elephant drinks about 160 litres of water per day
and eats on average about 260 kilograms of fresh vegetation (leaves,
fruit, bark, roots, reeds and grass) daily. Day or night – They are nocturnal and diurnal |
| Enemies: |
Humans, Lion, Nile Crocodile (only young Elephants). |
| Interesting facts: |
Elephants spend up to 18 hours a day feeding and Adult bulls can
consume more than 250 kg of vegetation per 24-hour period and need
about 160 liters of water. Despite their size, they are deceptively
fast. When angered they can charge at a speed of more than 45 km per
hour over a short distance. They are good swimmers. Lifespan – Their lifespan depends on the availability of teeth. They have 6 sets of 4 molars each in the back of their jaws. Each set moves forward - new teeth replacing old. Only one set (4 teeth) is in use at any time. At approximately 47 years of age, the sixth set moves forward, lasting about 13 years. Thereafter they are unable to feed effectively and die. |