The elephant is a large mammal of the familia Elephantidae and the Proboscidea order. Traditionally, there are two recognized species, the African elephant (Loxodonta africana) and the elephant maximus (Elephas maximus), although some evidence suggests that African elephant bushes and African forest elephants are distinct species (L. africana and L. cyclotis). Elephants are spread throughout sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Elephantidae is the only familia of the still other Proboscidea order; Other families that are now extinct include mammoths and mastodons. Male african elephant is the largest land animal with a height that can reach 4 m (13 ft) and a mass of approximately 7,000 kg (15,000 lb). Elephants have special features, with the most striking is the proboscis or proboscis used for many things, especially for breathing, sucking water, and picking up objects. The serial teeth grow into fangs that can be used as weapons and tools for moving objects or digging. Its large earlobe helps regulate their body temperature. African elephants have bigger ears and hollowed backs, while Asian elephant ears are smaller and their backs are convex.
Elephants are herbivorous animals that can be found in a variety of habitats, such as savannas, forests, deserts, and swamps. They tend to be near the water. Elephants are considered a key species because of their impact on the environment. Other animals tend to keep their distance from elephants, and predators like lions, tigers. hyenas, and stray dogs usually only attack young elephants. Female elephants tend to live in family groups, consisting of one female with her children or some females that are associated with their children. This group is led by an elephant individual called the matriarch, which is usually the oldest female. Elephants have a fusion-group structure, ie when family groups meet to socialize. The male elephant leaves the family when it reaches puberty, and will live alone or with another male. Adult males usually interact with family groups while looking for a partner and enter a stage of increased testosterone and aggression called musth, which helps them achieve dominance and reproductive success. The elephant is the focus of the family group and relies on its mother for about three years. Elephants can live for 70 years in the wild. They communicate by touch, sight, smell, and sound; elephants use infrasuara and seismic communications for long distance. The elephant's intelligence has been compared with the intelligence of primates and cetaceans. They seem to have self-awareness and show empathy to other elephants that are almost or have died.
African elephants are classified as vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), while Asian elephants are classified as endangered species. One of the main threats to elephants is the ivory trade that triggers poaching. Another threat is the destruction of habitat and conflict with local people. Elephants are used as working animals in Asia. They used to be used for war; now, elephants are often shown in zoos and circuses. Elephants can be easily recognized and have been depicted in art, folklore, religion, literature, and popular culture.
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