According to the National Calendar Day today is National Elephant Appreciation Day.
People of all ages are fascinated by elephants. Discover some interesting facts about them to celebrate with us!
These captivating and social animals live between 60 to 70 years. Like humans, elephants develop remarkably close family bonds. Two species, the African Savannah and Asian elephant, exist. However, recently scientists suggested that the African Forest elephant is also a unique species and not a subspecies.
Each day, poachers kill approximately 100 elephants for their ivory, meat, bones, and skin.
While the African elephants outgrow the Asian, both hold the prize for the largest land mammal on earth. However, there are some differences between the species, though.
Differences Between African & Asian Elephants:
- The African elephant grows larger ears.
- In the Asian species, only the male grows tusks. However, in the African, both male and female elephants grow tusks.
- One of the things that fascinate us about elephants is their trunk. It’s super sensitive. At the end, a small finger-like appendage grows. The appendage, also known as a lobe, gives elephants the ability to pick up small twigs, bits of grass and other items. On the Asian elephant, the lobe grows at the top tip of the trunk. However, the African elephant grows a lobe at the top and bottom, giving it extra pinching dexterity.
- Both species live in herds. The herds are led primarily by a matriarch and comprised of sisters, daughters and their young. As the males grow, they move off on their own. Asian herds tend to be smaller than the African herds.
- While both species are herbivores, their diets vary based on the available habitat.
Elephants are spirited and playful animals. Have you ever seen them frolic in the water? And they will defend their own with their mighty tusks. Whether foraging for food or digging a mud hole, their tusks are vital for survival. Since hunters value the ivory more than the life of the elephant, they endanger the continued existence of these majestic animals.
NATIONAL ELEPHANT APPRECIATION DAY HISTORY
National Elephant Appreciation Day originated in 1996 to raise awareness concerning the plight of elephants.
*This photo that was taken last year on our trip to South Africa - Mozambique. This was at Sanctuary where they help these amazing animals.
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