Eversdal
Report Grade 6
THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT |
| Looks The African elephant is the largest land mammal. It has a heavy, grey body with four legs and a short tail that ends in a bunch of hair. The rest of the body is hairless. The head is large with two huge ears, two small eyes, a trunk and two teeth called tusks. (Lizanne & Desiree) The African elephant's eyesight is not very good. It uses its big ears for ventilation and communication. These huge animals can weigh up to 5.4 ton. The trunk has two lobes and is the most sensitive part of the elephant's body. (Anina & Wilmien) The trunk is used for breathing, smelling, drinking water, picking food, breaking branches and fighting. (Carla-Marié & Sophie-Marie) There are 4 to 5 toes on the front feet and only 3 toes on the back feet. Elephants have only 4 grinding teeth. When worn by the rough vegetation that they eat, these are replaced by the larger teeth at the back of the jaw. (Jo-Anni & Janine) |
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Habitat
The African elephant lives in Africa, south of the
Sahara desert in tropical forests, savannah areas, deserts and river valleys. (Coralee,
Heidi & Janine)
Eating habits
Elephants drink water by sucking it up with their
trunks and spraying it into their mouths. They pick up food with their trunks, put it into
their mouths, chew it and then swallow it. (Stephen & Kenneth)
Elephants eat mainly leaves and
grass and they drink a lot of water (190 litres per day). They eat in the morning, in the
evening and during the rest of the day. (Megan & Annique)
Up to 200 kg of food is needed daily.
African elephants at a drinking hole
Male and female differences
Males travel alone and the females travel in
groups with the younger elephants.
The bull are bigger than the cows:
Bull - 3.4 m (length) and 5.4 metric tonne (weight)
Cow - 2.8 m (length) and 3.6 metric tonne(weight). (Stephanie &
Rouxlé)
Reproduction
Elephants are ready to mate at the age of 15 to
16, usually with a bull that is able to fight with other bulls in the herd. The mating
pair will often separate from the herd for a few weeks. After 21 to 22 months one calf is
born. It can follow the herd after just a few days. Cows can have 5 to 6 calves in a
lifetime. (Rohann, Hanno & Johann)
Interesting habits
African elephants like to cool off by playing in
the water and mud. The mud will then dry on their skins and this protects them from the
sun. They regularly flap their ears for better blood circulation and to keep them cool.
Elephants sometimes take a nap during the hottest part of the day. They can do this while
standing or by laying down.
(Carla-Marié & Sophie-Marie)
Are they endangered?
The African elephant is endangered because
poachers kill them for their ivory tusks.
(Ruan, Etienne & Charl)
The reduction of their habitat is also a reason why they are dying. (Carla, Liesl
& Suzaan)
What can we do?
We can put them in game parks
with video cameras around their necks.
(Anina & Wilmien)
The law can help the elephants by preventing poaching. (Ryan, Sandro & Wouter)
We can ban the selling of ivory. People endangering the elephants must go to jail. (Larita & Liezel)
We can protect them by putting
radios around their necks and by monitoring them regularly. (Elaine & Mimette)
Pictures and Information
Encarta 97 - Microsoft
The World Book Encyclopaedia vol. 6
Die Natuur in die weegskaal - Rob Marsh
Die Kinderensiklopedie Deel VII
Veldgids tot die Soogdiere van Suid-Afrika - Chris en Tilde Stuart
Other sites:
Three elephant
friends in Knysna
Elephant Puzzle
Elephants in the Addo National Park
