Elephants are the largest land animals on Earth, and they are a keystone species in many ecosystems. African elephants are particularly important in savanna ecosystems, where they help to shape the landscape through their foraging and digging activities. Elephants are also an important cultural icon in many cultures around the world.
The African elephant is the largest living terrestrial animal and can weigh up to 6 metric tons (13,000 lb). The body of an adult elephant is about 3-4 m (10-13 ft) long and 2.5-3 m (8-10 ft) high at the shoulder, with males being larger than females. The trunk is used for breathing, drinking, eating, dusting, bathing, communication, producing sounds such as trumpeting and infrasonic rumbling calls known as “temblor”, and handling objects. Trumpeting is usually done when elephants are excited or agitated while infrasonic rumbling calls serve as a means of long distance communication over several kilometers between family groups. The trunk’s muscle arrangement allows it to be used for lifting water or dirt which may be sprayed onto the back or head for cooling purposes using its finger like processes at the end called “finger pads”. Dusting with fine particles such as ash helps protect against ectoparasites such as ticks. Elephants consume large amounts of vegetation daily which requires them to spend a majority of their time feeding; an average sized African Elephant will eat 140 kg (300 lb) of vegetation per day while a large bull can consume up to 230 kg (510 lb).
Females reach sexual maturity at around 10 years old while males reach sexual maturity at around 15 years old; however bulls do not become fully sexually active until they attain musth – a periodic condition characterized by increased testosterone levels and aggressive behavior – which usually occurs between 10-20 years old but can occur earlier or later depending on ecological factors such as food availability. Gestation period lasts for 22 months after which a single calf weighing 60–120 kg (130–260 lb) is born; twins are rare but not unheard of. Calves stay close to their mothers during their first few years before becoming more independent but continue to associate with their mothers even into adulthood. Females tend to form strong bonds with other females in their group while males often leave their birth group once they reach puberty although some maintain relationships with their mothers throughout life while others join all male groups (“bachelor herds”).
African elephants live in Savannahs where small families or solitary bulls roaming ranges up 100 km^2 looking for food and water sources; these areas often overlap with other families’ ranges resulting in complex social networks that allow information regarding food sources and potential mates to be passed between individuals. Although most of their time is spent alone or in small family groups consisting of related females led by an older matriarch, African elephants will congregate in larger numbers during times when resources are plentiful such as during wet season when rivers overflow providing access to previously inaccessible grazing areas rich with new growth grasses full of nutrients essential for survival during dry season conditions characterized by little available surface water leading to widespread starvation if elephants cannot find adequate food sources rich enough in nutrition content .
It has been estimated that only 40% of calves born survive past weaning due largely predation although drought conditions can increase calf mortality rates due dehydration caused by lack milk production from malnourished lactating mothers.. Disease also plays role in population control particularly pathogenic bacteria introduced through contact contaminated waterholes shared multiple species including people.. Although humans have hunted elephants traditional medicine shamanistic rituals dating back hundreds years some cultures believe ingestion various body parts confer strength power good luck protection against evil spirits negative influences