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African elephants are larger than their Asian kin and are the largest animals to walk on the face of the earth. Within Africa there are two different sub-species. The Savannah or bush elephant lives on the open plains and thus have evolved to become slightly larger. Their tusks also grow larger and curve in an outward direction from their bodies.

African elephants are larger than their Asian kin and are the largest animals to walk on the face of the earth. Within Africa there are two different sub-species. The Savannah or bush elephant lives on the open plains and thus have evolved to become slightly larger. Their tusks also grow larger and curve in an outward direction from their bodies.

Forest elephants are slightly darker and smaller, with straighter tusks that point downwards and more oval shaped ears. The skull and skeleton of the two species also sees differences in size and shape.

For many people the most recognisable and perhaps odd feature of the elephant is its long trunk that extends out ahead of its face. This is a very practical tool and can be used for communication, as well as picking items up and washing or drinking by sucking in water to be blown into its mouth or over its body. The end of the trunk has two openings as opposed to the Asian variety that has only one.

The elephants tusks, another of their recognisable features, are simply long incisors modified for their uses that continue to grow throughout the elephants life. These are very useful for digging, feeding and fighting and appear on both males and females. A final notable feature that elephants have are their enormous ears that are very useful in radiating heat and keeping the animals cool in the baking temperatures.

Elephants remain under considerable threat from poachers who look to steal their ivory tusks to sell them on the black market. Whilst the ivory trade has declined since the overall ban on ivory in 1989 it still remains a significant issue and ivory still finds its way into foreign markets.

A threat to the species that is more long term is the reduction of their available habitat. This is mainly due to the expansion of human populations into their lands. For these reasons the African elephant is considered an endangered species and much is being done to guarantee the continuation of their way of life.

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