Description

The African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana), also known as the African savanna elephant, is the largest elephant of the animal kingdom. It can weigh from 8,800 to 15,400 pounds, making it the heaviest terrestrial mammal species. On average, males are 3.2 meters (10.5 ft) tall at the shoulder and 6 tons (6.6 short tons) in weight, while females are relatively smaller at 2.6 meters (8.5 ft) tall at the shoulder and 3 tons (3.3 short tons) in weight. Elephants attain their maximum stature when they complete the fusion of long-bone epiphyses, occurring in males around the age of 40 and females around the age of 25. Their large size means that they must consume around 50 gallons of water everyday in order to stay hydrated. These elephants are known for being hunted for their tusks, ears, feet, and meat, so the population of bush elephants in the world have been increasingly declining.