Sizes
The overall appearance of an African elephant is large and rotund, with the back being concave in shape and the head being slightly convex.
African elephants are the largest mammals on earth. The males, or bulls are typically larger than the female elephants. They stand at heights of 12 to 14 feet from their shoulders, and can weigh around 12,000 to 14,000 pounds. That's about the weight of 3 mini vans! Cows, or females, are rather small in comparison to bulls. Their height at their shoulders are an average of 9 to 13 feet, and can weigh around 6,000 to 8,000 pounds. That's around 3 to 4 tons! (see why females are so small down below) |
Sexual Dimorphism
![Picture](/uploads/7/2/2/7/72273915/published/sexual-dimorphism.jpg?1523226504)
Sexual dimorphism is present in the African elephants. As read above, their sizes can depict whether they are female or male. The males are larger because males live a mostly isolated life. Due to this, they need to protect themselves and need a strong build to fight off other bulls looking for mates, so they are larger, and have tusks that are larger than a females. The females live in herds most of their lives.
Also, another example of sexual dimorphism is their tusks. You can easily tell that an elephant is a male because its tusks will protrude out. If no tusks are visible, than it is most likely a female elephant. Cows tusks are rather small, and are covered by a sagging piece of skin by their mouth while bulls tusks are large and protrude out of their jaw. Yet, female elephants can still have tusks that protrude out, but they are normally small and mostly hidden. This is another example for why males have tusks that protrude instead of females; they live an isolated life. Also, bulls will have wider foreheads than a cow because a large head can attack with greater force to other bulls. For the cows, they have mammary glands. These glands produce the milk for their young.
Also, another example of sexual dimorphism is their tusks. You can easily tell that an elephant is a male because its tusks will protrude out. If no tusks are visible, than it is most likely a female elephant. Cows tusks are rather small, and are covered by a sagging piece of skin by their mouth while bulls tusks are large and protrude out of their jaw. Yet, female elephants can still have tusks that protrude out, but they are normally small and mostly hidden. This is another example for why males have tusks that protrude instead of females; they live an isolated life. Also, bulls will have wider foreheads than a cow because a large head can attack with greater force to other bulls. For the cows, they have mammary glands. These glands produce the milk for their young.
-Adaptations to environment-
Internal Systems:
Digestive
The African Elephant's digestive system is like a horse's. It is just way bigger! The digestive system is a pathway for the food that the elephant eats. The food travels down to the stomach, than through the small intestine, to the cecum, than the large intestine, until finally, the remains, feces.
The digestive system starts with the mouth. Here, salivary glands help produce saliva to aid the digestion process. Also, mucus in the esophagus helps with the process of bringing the food down to the stomach. The saliva breaks down the food because it contains enzymes. The mucus helps the thorns or bark go down easily.
Next, the stomach. From the esophagus, the food travels to the stomach which is like a storage room for the food. The food than gets pushed into the intestines.
An elephant lacks the gall bladder so it uses gut fermentation of fecal matter in their cecum using bacterial symbiosis.
Most of the digestive process takes place in the small intestine. This is where the vegetative diet gets digested. The small intestine is divided into 3 places: the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The large intestine can be around 40 feet in length. Before the digested food goes to the large intestine, it passes through the cecum. The cecum is a bunch of little sacs that are rich in blood vessels and rather thin. This is where fermentation happens.
At the large intestine, it absorbs water from the food because an elephant makes good use of 40% of its intake. Because an elephant doesn't intake as many nutrients from its food, its dung is nutrient rich. This is a good thing for other organisms such as a dung beetle (see relationships page).
African elephants do not have a gall bladder however. So how do they get rid of acids? Secreted acid is passed through tunnels to the small intestine. The bile helps with absorption in the small intestine.
The digestive system starts with the mouth. Here, salivary glands help produce saliva to aid the digestion process. Also, mucus in the esophagus helps with the process of bringing the food down to the stomach. The saliva breaks down the food because it contains enzymes. The mucus helps the thorns or bark go down easily.
Next, the stomach. From the esophagus, the food travels to the stomach which is like a storage room for the food. The food than gets pushed into the intestines.
An elephant lacks the gall bladder so it uses gut fermentation of fecal matter in their cecum using bacterial symbiosis.
Most of the digestive process takes place in the small intestine. This is where the vegetative diet gets digested. The small intestine is divided into 3 places: the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The large intestine can be around 40 feet in length. Before the digested food goes to the large intestine, it passes through the cecum. The cecum is a bunch of little sacs that are rich in blood vessels and rather thin. This is where fermentation happens.
At the large intestine, it absorbs water from the food because an elephant makes good use of 40% of its intake. Because an elephant doesn't intake as many nutrients from its food, its dung is nutrient rich. This is a good thing for other organisms such as a dung beetle (see relationships page).
African elephants do not have a gall bladder however. So how do they get rid of acids? Secreted acid is passed through tunnels to the small intestine. The bile helps with absorption in the small intestine.
The African elephants mouth is very powerful. It has massive muscles that provide the chewing energy. However, the elephant cannot open its mouth as wide, and it is rather small in size for the ratio of its body size.
The dentition of elephants are rather interesting. Teeth grow from the back of the mouth to the front. Averagely, elephants have 6 sets of molars throughout their lifespan. When a molar gets too worn down due to excessive grinding, a new one will push the worn one out of the mouth. Imagine a conveyor belt of teeth. The process of removing a worn tooth starts with its roots being resorbed. This means that the cells, tissue, and overall structure breaks down into component materials. Than, the elephant will either spit out the crown or swallow it.
Elephants have one upper incisor, the tusks, three premolars, three molars, no canines, and six cheek teeth.
African Elephants teeth have ridges that are diamond shaped. These ridges are called laminae.The elephant's teeth are very unique because they are polyphyodont. This means they have more than 2 successful sets of teeth. They are considered unique because most mammals are diphyodont.
In newborn elephants, they normally will have two molars right after birth. Until after 18 to 24 months the tusks will appear.
Their tusks are elongated incisors that protrude from deep inside their head. About one third of it is hidden in the head.
Sadly, the elephant's tusks have been growing shorter and shorter as the years go by because of the humans who hunt for ivory tusks. The "long tusk gene" is very uncommon nowadays. This adaptation is the most obvious for humans to see. Poachers who hunt for ivory aren't in luck anymore.
The dentition of elephants are rather interesting. Teeth grow from the back of the mouth to the front. Averagely, elephants have 6 sets of molars throughout their lifespan. When a molar gets too worn down due to excessive grinding, a new one will push the worn one out of the mouth. Imagine a conveyor belt of teeth. The process of removing a worn tooth starts with its roots being resorbed. This means that the cells, tissue, and overall structure breaks down into component materials. Than, the elephant will either spit out the crown or swallow it.
Elephants have one upper incisor, the tusks, three premolars, three molars, no canines, and six cheek teeth.
African Elephants teeth have ridges that are diamond shaped. These ridges are called laminae.The elephant's teeth are very unique because they are polyphyodont. This means they have more than 2 successful sets of teeth. They are considered unique because most mammals are diphyodont.
In newborn elephants, they normally will have two molars right after birth. Until after 18 to 24 months the tusks will appear.
Their tusks are elongated incisors that protrude from deep inside their head. About one third of it is hidden in the head.
Sadly, the elephant's tusks have been growing shorter and shorter as the years go by because of the humans who hunt for ivory tusks. The "long tusk gene" is very uncommon nowadays. This adaptation is the most obvious for humans to see. Poachers who hunt for ivory aren't in luck anymore.
Circulatory
Elephants have a closed circulatory system, like most mammals, and it has a four chambered heart. It pumps slower than humans, but can pump a greater force. The heart beats 28 times per minute, while a human heart normally beats around 70 per minute.
An elephant's red blood cells are longer and wider to produce an increase of their blood pressure. Also, their hemoglobin is rich in oxygen. They have a high platelet concentration which helps the blood clots rapidly.
An efficient circulatory system is necessary to the ginormous elephant so that it can pump blood to all the areas of its massive body.
An elephant's red blood cells are longer and wider to produce an increase of their blood pressure. Also, their hemoglobin is rich in oxygen. They have a high platelet concentration which helps the blood clots rapidly.
An efficient circulatory system is necessary to the ginormous elephant so that it can pump blood to all the areas of its massive body.
Respiratory
The respiratory system is the system that allows the elephant to breathe. The system consists of nasal tubes, external nares, internal nares, larynx, pharynx, and the trachea. It also includes the bronchioles, bronchi, alveolar sac, and the alveolar duct.
The lungs are attached to thoracic walls and the diaphragm. This results in no pleural space. Pleural space is a thin fluid space between the lungs and the lung lining. Humans have pleural space.
Unlike most mammals, elephants do diaphragmatic muscle movements to inflate and deflate their lungs. If the elephant doesn't perform muscular movement of the key muscles, the elephant has limited diaphragmatic movement. This is a special way how the elephant is able to breathe due to its massive size.
When elephants sleep, they lay down and is in a state of lateral recumbency, instead of sternal recumbency. Lateral recumbency is when an organism lies down on its side. Sternal recumbency is when the hind legs and forelegs are pointed forward, (towards the head) as the animal lies down on its belly. Most of the time, you will see older elephants sleep while doing lateral recumbency. Sternal recumbency is mostly seen in young elephants. An elephant can possibly even suffocate itself to death when lying down.
An elephant intakes about %70 percent of air into their trunk and the rest through the mouth. Elephants take 4 to 12 breaths per minute.
The lungs are attached to thoracic walls and the diaphragm. This results in no pleural space. Pleural space is a thin fluid space between the lungs and the lung lining. Humans have pleural space.
Unlike most mammals, elephants do diaphragmatic muscle movements to inflate and deflate their lungs. If the elephant doesn't perform muscular movement of the key muscles, the elephant has limited diaphragmatic movement. This is a special way how the elephant is able to breathe due to its massive size.
When elephants sleep, they lay down and is in a state of lateral recumbency, instead of sternal recumbency. Lateral recumbency is when an organism lies down on its side. Sternal recumbency is when the hind legs and forelegs are pointed forward, (towards the head) as the animal lies down on its belly. Most of the time, you will see older elephants sleep while doing lateral recumbency. Sternal recumbency is mostly seen in young elephants. An elephant can possibly even suffocate itself to death when lying down.
An elephant intakes about %70 percent of air into their trunk and the rest through the mouth. Elephants take 4 to 12 breaths per minute.
Reproductive
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Male: The organs that make up the male reproductive system are the prostate gland, bulbourethral glands, ampullae, sperm storage organ, seminal vesicles, penis, and the testes.
Testes are found inside the abdominal cavity. These are tennis ball sized, and posterior to the kidneys. Like a horse's, the elephant's penis is rather similar. It is S-shaped, a muscular type, and about 2 meters in length.
Testes are found inside the abdominal cavity. These are tennis ball sized, and posterior to the kidneys. Like a horse's, the elephant's penis is rather similar. It is S-shaped, a muscular type, and about 2 meters in length.
![Picture](/uploads/7/2/2/7/72273915/published/female.jpg?1524151527)
Female: The female reproductive system has many organs involved. There are the ovaries, vagina, clitoris, and placenta to name a couple. Ovaries in an elephant can be found behind the kidneys.
Excretory
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The elephants excretory system is the process of the elephant getting rid of wastes. Typically, elephants will urinate about 10 to 15 times a day. At the end of the day, an elephant could potentially dump out 50 gallons of water.
An elephant excretes waste to maintain homeostasis, the maintenance of a constant internal environment.
The waste is removed from an elephant through water vapor, carbon dioxide, and urea. Water vapor that comes from the lungs to the skin through the form of sweat is a way to remove waste. Carbon dioxide is not good for the body, so it excretes it out through the process of respiration. And most commonly, the kidneys and the process of the nephrons.
In the nephrons of a kidney, the blood gets filtered inside of the glomerulus as the Bowman's capsule contains the waste. The waste will travel through a tubule to the loop of henle, where selective reabsorption of nutrients, water, and sugar occurs. Next, it travels to the collecting tube which is connected to the ureters which brings the waste to the bladder where it is stored until the elephant needs to urinate or take a dump.
An elephant excretes waste to maintain homeostasis, the maintenance of a constant internal environment.
The waste is removed from an elephant through water vapor, carbon dioxide, and urea. Water vapor that comes from the lungs to the skin through the form of sweat is a way to remove waste. Carbon dioxide is not good for the body, so it excretes it out through the process of respiration. And most commonly, the kidneys and the process of the nephrons.
In the nephrons of a kidney, the blood gets filtered inside of the glomerulus as the Bowman's capsule contains the waste. The waste will travel through a tubule to the loop of henle, where selective reabsorption of nutrients, water, and sugar occurs. Next, it travels to the collecting tube which is connected to the ureters which brings the waste to the bladder where it is stored until the elephant needs to urinate or take a dump.
Nervous
The elephants nervous system consists of the spinal cord, brain, and peripheral nerves. With a rather small brain for their body size, they are the most intelligent animals.
They have highly developed gyri and sulci (folds that make up the cerebral cortex).
There are two enlargements on the elephants spinal cord. One called the cervical, and the other, lumbar enlargements. These enlargements hold many nerve cells that help with the limb movements.
They have highly developed gyri and sulci (folds that make up the cerebral cortex).
There are two enlargements on the elephants spinal cord. One called the cervical, and the other, lumbar enlargements. These enlargements hold many nerve cells that help with the limb movements.
Skeletal
With the weight of the elephant, the skeleton has been influenced greatly because of it. The skeletal system, however, adds on to the weight. It weighs about 16.5% of the elephants weight.
Main Bone Structures:
Skull: Due to the pneumatic bone containing air cavities, the elephant skull is rather light. The largest section of the skull holds the brain.
Main Bone Structures:
Skull: Due to the pneumatic bone containing air cavities, the elephant skull is rather light. The largest section of the skull holds the brain.
Vertebrae: The vertebrae is a straight horizontal line of bones. It is divided into 5 regions: Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar, Sacral, and Coccygial/Caudal.
Ribs: Like the spine, there are parts to the ribs. This time there are only three: Sternal, Asternal, and True Floating ribs. Elephants have about 19-20 ribs depending on the species of elephant.
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Legs: The elephant's leg bone structures is probably one of the most amazing things about the elephant. The elephant's legs are strong because the bones are in a pillar form. The elephant's limb bones are made of thick walls (cortices) that are filled with a cancellous bone which are lacking marrow cavities. The femur and tibia do not lack these marrow cavities however. With this amazing structure for the legs, the elephants can stand for long periods of time, even with all the weight on the foot.
Muscular system
The muscles of an elephant have a greater component of fibrous tissues because of its massive size.
Main Muscles of an Elephant:
Trunk: If you ever look at a skeleton of an elephant, you will notice that there is no trunk bones. That's because the trunk is comprised of muscles. The elephant's trunk is full of muscles. It has over 150,000 muscle units in its trunk alone!
These strong muscles make the elephant capable of lifting up to 700 lbs of weight!
The way how the trunk moves is by having muscles running longitudinally on both sides. So, on the top of the trunk, those muscles make the trunk lift up. The muscles on the bottom that run longitudinally make the trunk go down. Along with muscles on the sides of the trunk that move it left and right.
The muscles are rather special in the trunk because they can contract and expand or shrink. It is essential to enlarge the elephant's trunk because of its need to suck in a heavy amount of water.
Legs: British scientists claim that elephant's legs act like a 4x4 car. With each limb having its on control of power. The muscles in the Elephant's legs are numerous and strong. With strong muscles and strong bones, the elephant can uphold its massive weight.
Main Muscles of an Elephant:
Trunk: If you ever look at a skeleton of an elephant, you will notice that there is no trunk bones. That's because the trunk is comprised of muscles. The elephant's trunk is full of muscles. It has over 150,000 muscle units in its trunk alone!
These strong muscles make the elephant capable of lifting up to 700 lbs of weight!
The way how the trunk moves is by having muscles running longitudinally on both sides. So, on the top of the trunk, those muscles make the trunk lift up. The muscles on the bottom that run longitudinally make the trunk go down. Along with muscles on the sides of the trunk that move it left and right.
The muscles are rather special in the trunk because they can contract and expand or shrink. It is essential to enlarge the elephant's trunk because of its need to suck in a heavy amount of water.
Legs: British scientists claim that elephant's legs act like a 4x4 car. With each limb having its on control of power. The muscles in the Elephant's legs are numerous and strong. With strong muscles and strong bones, the elephant can uphold its massive weight.
-external features-
ears
The ginormous ears are made of huge blood veins that travel throughout the ear. There are many blood vessels inside the ear, making it a very sensitive spot. The elephant's ears act as thermal windows. A thermal window is the area of a body that dumps off excessive amounts of heat. All its blood rushes up through the ears, and as it flaps its ears, it cools itself down. In about 20 minutes, the heat will be cooled off. If the weather is rather cool, the elephant will press its ears against its body and use the warm blood to warm the rest of its body.
This is an example of an adaptation in the species Loxodonta africana. The African elephants have adapted to their hot environment by using their giant ears as a cooling and heating mechanism. (the African elephant's ear shape resembles the shape of Africa) |
Legs
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How can an elephant support so much weight? Their legs consist of bones made in a pillar like system. The bones are flexible and rigid (composite), allowing the elephant to move its legs easily. The tibia in the elephants leg has no marrow or empty space.
When an elephant runs, the legs act like a pogo stick. With spring action like legs, it can take the weight when running.
The feet of elephants have 5 toes. It is rather similar to human feet except for their heels. Elephants heels have a huge pad made of fat. This is like a "digital" cushion that acts like a shock absorber. Carrying 3 to 6 tons of heavy body mass makes the feet a very important part. This is another example of adaptation in this species. Overtime, with their rough terrain ground, their feet needed the muscle strength and support to be able to carry the weight.
When an elephant runs, the legs act like a pogo stick. With spring action like legs, it can take the weight when running.
The feet of elephants have 5 toes. It is rather similar to human feet except for their heels. Elephants heels have a huge pad made of fat. This is like a "digital" cushion that acts like a shock absorber. Carrying 3 to 6 tons of heavy body mass makes the feet a very important part. This is another example of adaptation in this species. Overtime, with their rough terrain ground, their feet needed the muscle strength and support to be able to carry the weight.
Eyes
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Elephant's eyes are anterolateral (between forward and on the sides).
A gland called the Harderian gland keeps the eyes moisturised, while the lacrImal gland produces the tears.
The eyelashes are another place where hair is visible. They typically have rather long eyelashes that are thick.
Calves, the newborn elephants, are born with their eyes functional and open. This means they are precocial.
A gland called the Harderian gland keeps the eyes moisturised, while the lacrImal gland produces the tears.
The eyelashes are another place where hair is visible. They typically have rather long eyelashes that are thick.
Calves, the newborn elephants, are born with their eyes functional and open. This means they are precocial.
SKin
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Elephants skin is rich in nerves which makes it very sensitive. The skin color is normally a light brown or a slight red hue. It is wrinkly because the elephant can retain more moisture. This is an example how the African elephant has gradually adapted to their heat stricken environment.
There is thin skin and thick skin of an elephant. Thin skin can be found by the ear, mouth, and by the anus. Thick skin is found on the back, buttock, and head.
There are two major layers to the skin, the dermis, and epidermis. Epidermis is the cells covering the outer parts of the elephant, while the dermis is the living tissue that contains nerves and capillaries.
There is thin skin and thick skin of an elephant. Thin skin can be found by the ear, mouth, and by the anus. Thick skin is found on the back, buttock, and head.
There are two major layers to the skin, the dermis, and epidermis. Epidermis is the cells covering the outer parts of the elephant, while the dermis is the living tissue that contains nerves and capillaries.
Tail
The elephant's tail is normally 100-150 cm long and has thick, black, coarse hair.
Trunk
The elephant trunk is made up of vessels, muscles, fat, nerves, and connective tissues. Overtime, the elephants trunk came to be by evolving from the muscles of their nose, cheeks, and upper lip. Gradually it fused, making the trunk.
There is no bone in the trunk, and cartilage is only found by the end of the trunk and nostrils.
The muscles that make up the trunk are internal and superficial muscles. The superficial muscles go along the dorsal, lateral, and ventral sides longitudinally, while the internal muscles also include radial and transversal muscles. These muscles allow the elephant to maneuver its trunk up, down, and side to side.
There is no bone in the trunk, and cartilage is only found by the end of the trunk and nostrils.
The muscles that make up the trunk are internal and superficial muscles. The superficial muscles go along the dorsal, lateral, and ventral sides longitudinally, while the internal muscles also include radial and transversal muscles. These muscles allow the elephant to maneuver its trunk up, down, and side to side.
The nostrils at the bottom of the trunk are split by a membranous septum. It is also connected to openings in the cranium. To tell the difference between African elephants and Asian elephants, Asian elephants have one little 'finger' at the end of their trunk instead of two.
The trunk is a valuable tool of the elephant. It gathers food from it, drinks water, and can communicate with other elephants with it by touch and sound promoters.
The trunk is a valuable tool of the elephant. It gathers food from it, drinks water, and can communicate with other elephants with it by touch and sound promoters.
Hair
When you look at an elephant, you can't really see any hair except for their tail. But, they actually have hair around most outer parts of their body. The younger the elephant, the more hair it will have, while the older elephants have less hair. The color of the hair can be brown, black, white, or gray. It can be found on the head, back, around the eyes, mouth, chin, ear opening, and at the end of the tail.
nails
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African elephants have toe nails that grow about 1 centimeter per month. With all the walking and carrying a heavy mass of weight, the nails can be grinding on the rough terrain and get shorter. Like mother natures way of clipping toe nails. The elephant has a plantar surface which is covered by a keratinized layer that grows also, about 1 centimeter per month. The plantar pad is at the bottom of their foot. Kind of like the sole of an elephant's foot.