Overview
Native to the savannahs and mountains of Sub-Saharan Africa, the African savannah elephant (or Loxodonta africana) is a large, thickset mammal with grey skin and a characteristic trunk used for vocalising, drinking and grasping food. Both sexes of the species have tusks, and both are known for their intelligence and strong social bonds, especially the bond between mothers and their babies. Female herds bond for life and, even if a herd splits up, the females will remember and communicate with family members they may come across later in life. As the largest living terrestrial animal, African elephant bulls grow to stand 3.04m to 3.36m tall at the shoulder, and weigh between 5,200kg and 6,900kg. Females are smaller, at 2.47m to 2.73m tall and weigh between 2,600kg to 3,500kg.
Found in Africa
Regions
No entries.
Biomes
No entries.
Appearance
Male
Female
Juvenile
Colourmorphs
No entries.
Size & weight
Size
Shoulder height: 2.6 to 3.2 m
Measured as Shoulder height. The person stands 1.75 m tall for scale.
Habitat requirements
Barrier grade
Grade 4 of 5
Minimum height
3 m minimum
Climbing & water
Climb proof
Water barrier
Habitat needs
Terrain
- Grass 20-40%
- Sand 10-40%
- Soil 20-40%
- Rock 0-20%
- Waterlogged 10-40%
Diet and enrichment
Diet
- Leaves and Branches
- Hay
Feeders
No entries.
Enrichment items
No entries.
Water sources
No entries.
Conservation
IUCN Red List
Endangered
Least concern
Critically endangered
African savannah elephants are an Endangered species. They are threatened by poaching for the illegal ivory trade, but also due to the expansion of human life destroying their habitat. They are commonly viewed negatively by locals, mostly because they can destroy farmland and it is difficult to 'elephant proof' land with sufficient boundaries. Poached elephant carcasses are often left poisoned, so that scavenging raptors will die instead of circling over the kill as to not alert wildlife rangers to poaching activities. In addition to the obvious impact on elephant populations, many African vulture species are also directly in decline because of this. Elephants that live in National Parks are now protected from hunting, and many African countries have introduced humane ways of preventing elephants from damaging farmland. One method is to build a 'beehive fence': elephants are extremely afraid of bees and will avoid areas containing them or simply their sound. Despite conservation efforts the African savannah elephant population is in decline.
Zoopedia sketchbook
Social & reproduction
Keeper notes
Elephants are social animals, the exception being mature males who usually live alone. Females live in closely bonded family herds – including their young – and will travel and forage together. Herds have a matriarch; an older female who uses her experience to guide the group, and the group will care for each other, helping to raise babies. Elephants have even been known to grieve at the death of a group member. African Savannah elephants may travel 80 kilometres a day searching for food, water and mates. Mating in African savannah elephants peaks in the rainy season. An elephant bull will search for and approach a female herd, any interested females will vocalise towards him, and he will chase them until they allow him to mate with them. Mature bulls in musth, a period of heightened aggression and fertility in males, will be more successful in mating with a herd. After mating, the bull will separate from the herd again. An elephant’s pregnancy lasts 22 months, at which point the female will give birth to a single calf that she will take very close care of. Other female elephants will also help a mother care for her young, too. These calves will remain close to the family herd until they are around 8 years old, at which point the females will remain and the males will move away to form bachelor pods.
Group and breeding
Dominance
Stable dominant female in female herd. Male dominance in bachelor pods changes depending on age/aggression.
Research
Research levels
| Level | Unlocks | Research gate |
|---|---|---|
| No entries. | ||
Every level of this species' research, with its unlock conditions.
Release groups
Valid release groups
| Group | Type | Animals |
|---|---|---|
| No entries. | ||
Release groups, reserve requirements and the roles this species fills.
Suitable Wildlife Reserves
Great Rift Valley Reserve, Tanzania Reserve
Animal facts
- An African savannah elephant's tusks grow throughout its life; an adult male's can grow 7cm per year.
- In Tanzania, there is an island that has been dubbed 'Elephant Island' by locals because elephants will swim there to eat palm leaves and coconuts.
- African savannah elephants give themselves mud baths by spraying water and soil over their backs to protect them from the sun.
- Male elephants go through a periodic state called 'musth'; a time of heightened aggression and fertility due to an increase in testosterone.
- African savannah elephants are very important seed dispersers; the seeds of the plants and trees they eat are spread far and wide in their dung.
Taxonomy
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
Animal Trading
Accreditation
Career
Tier 4
Franchise
Tier 5
Animal Trading is where you adopt new animals for your Zoos.
You must have a functional Trade Centre building in your current location in order to access Trading.
How to get
Adopted in Animal Trading at a Trade Centre; available in Career from Accreditation Tier 4 and in Franchise from Tier 5.