Elephants are known as world’s largest land mammals. They are large and huge and have enormous weight. Elephants are by nature, friendly animals. They do not infuriate easily. Elephants are loved by kids. They are used in circus and are kept in zoos where they are taught different tricks to draw the attention of kids and adults both. Animals are also an important part of cartoons for kids because they are best suitable for the role of friends of kids. Below are given some more facts about elephants.
1. Elephant species
It was believed by the scientists that elephants had only two species until recently. The African and Asian elephants were the two groups but with recent DNA research the African elephants have been divided into two species, the African bush and African forest.
2. The elephant young
The elephant young is developed in 22 months. It is the longest pregnancy period among all the animals.
3. Their truck
The truck of elephants is the extension of their upper lip and nose. The truck alone contains 40,000 muscles. African elephants have two nodules at the end of their trunk while Asian elephants have only one.
4. Left or right
The elephants are either left tusked or right tusked. The dominant tusk is shorter than the other due to wear and tear.
5. The memory
Elephants have the best memory in the world. They do not forget even the shortest events. This helps them in recognizing the family, and remaining in the herd and protecting the young.
6. Swimmers
Elephants are the excellent swimmers. It is said that they swim to long distances and this is the reason they settled in Sri Lanka where they reached from India. They use all their four legs for swimming.
7. The life cycle
The elephant’s life cycle is similar to that of humans. Their life expectancy is up to 70 years. The oldest elephant lived for 86 years.
8. Elephants are treated as gods
In many cultures and some religions elephants are treated as gods like in Buddhism and Hinduism religions.
9. Used for games and in circus
Despite of their giant body they are trained for games and are taught different tricks to amuse the audience.
10. Endangered species
Elephants are put in the list of endangered species because of the ivory trade. They are killed to get the teeth they have. Due to the shortage of food and shrinking of habitat, they kill 300 humans every year.