Everything Elephant: The Facts, the Beauty, the Heartache
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All about Elephants
I was mulling over what to write about next when my newsletter from The Elephant Sanctuary arrived. "Everything elephants" popped into my mind. So this article all about elephants will focus on some facts, the beauty, the heartache, and efforts to save these wonderful creatures.
I will introduce you to some elephant sanctuaries in the United States and the wonderful work they are doing.
Most of the fantastic images shown are from Allposters.com and can be purchased for your home or office. There are also some suggestions on books and films about elephants, as well as my daughter's wonderful elephant pottery tiles.
Any income generated from this article with go to The Elephant Sanctury or PAWS Animal Kingdom.
I will introduce you to some elephant sanctuaries in the United States and the wonderful work they are doing.
Most of the fantastic images shown are from Allposters.com and can be purchased for your home or office. There are also some suggestions on books and films about elephants, as well as my daughter's wonderful elephant pottery tiles.
Any income generated from this article with go to The Elephant Sanctury or PAWS Animal Kingdom.
Contents at a Glance
Evolution
The earliest known ancestors of today's elephants existed over 60 million years ago. As far back as 37 million years ago, the ancestors were acquatic animals which more closely resembled the hippopatmus. The rhinocerous, hippopotamus and the elephant are all considered pachyderms, meaning thick skinned. There have been over 150 species of elephants documented, but today only two major species exist - the African elephant and the Asian elephant.
Elephants are the largest land animals on the planet today, and are one of the longest living species, with life spans of 50 to 70 years. There has even been one elephant documented to have had a life span of 82 years. The largest recorded weight of a grown elephant was 24,000 pounds! Gestation takes 22 months, the longest period for any animal. A baby elephant or calf at birth averages around 230 pounds.
Elephants are the largest land animals on the planet today, and are one of the longest living species, with life spans of 50 to 70 years. There has even been one elephant documented to have had a life span of 82 years. The largest recorded weight of a grown elephant was 24,000 pounds! Gestation takes 22 months, the longest period for any animal. A baby elephant or calf at birth averages around 230 pounds.
African Elephants
Although it is generally accepted that there are two species of elephants (Asian and African), some scientists claim that there are actually three distinct species of the African elephants based on DNA analysis - the African bush elephant, the African forest elephant, and possibly a third, West African elephant. The African species and the Asian species split on the evolutionary trail around 7.6 million years ago.
African elephants are classified as being in the genus Loxodonta, and exist in about 37 countries today. The characteristics that differentiate them from Asian elephants are their very large ears, larger size, concave backs, and less body hair. Both male and female African elephants may have external tusks. Males can stand 10-13 feet tall and weigh as much as 26,000 pounds. Females are typically slightly less than 10 feet tall.
The bush elephant, or savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana), is the largest of all elephants. Its favored territory is the open savannas and grasslands of Africa, usually the savannas south of the Sahara.
Loxodonta cyclotis, the forest elephant, is somewhat smaller and rounder than the savanna elephant. The males typically are 10 feet tall and weigh around 10,000 pounds. Their tusks tend to be straighter and thinner than their savanna relatives' tusks.
African elephants are classified as being in the genus Loxodonta, and exist in about 37 countries today. The characteristics that differentiate them from Asian elephants are their very large ears, larger size, concave backs, and less body hair. Both male and female African elephants may have external tusks. Males can stand 10-13 feet tall and weigh as much as 26,000 pounds. Females are typically slightly less than 10 feet tall.
The bush elephant, or savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana), is the largest of all elephants. Its favored territory is the open savannas and grasslands of Africa, usually the savannas south of the Sahara.
Loxodonta cyclotis, the forest elephant, is somewhat smaller and rounder than the savanna elephant. The males typically are 10 feet tall and weigh around 10,000 pounds. Their tusks tend to be straighter and thinner than their savanna relatives' tusks.
Asian Elephants
The Asian elephant species, Elephas maximus, has four subspecies - the Sumatran, the Sri Lankan, the Indian, and the Borneo. They are smaller and have smaller ears than their African counterparts. Only the Asian male elephants have external tusks.
The Sri Lankan elephants are the largest of the Asian elephants, standing about 11 feet tall and weighing about 12,000 pounds. They have pink pigmented or speckled skin, and large cranial bulges.
The Indian elephants are generally a lighter grey with only pink pigmentation of their ears and faces. They typically weigh about 11,000 pounds.
The Sumatran elephants are smaller than the Sri Lankan and Indian, generally standing about 6-8 feet tall and weighing less than 6600 pounds. They are light grey with only pink pigmentation on their ears.
The smallest of the Asians are the Borneo pygmy elephants which have longer ears and tails, and straighter tusks.
The Sri Lankan elephants are the largest of the Asian elephants, standing about 11 feet tall and weighing about 12,000 pounds. They have pink pigmented or speckled skin, and large cranial bulges.
The Indian elephants are generally a lighter grey with only pink pigmentation of their ears and faces. They typically weigh about 11,000 pounds.
The Sumatran elephants are smaller than the Sri Lankan and Indian, generally standing about 6-8 feet tall and weighing less than 6600 pounds. They are light grey with only pink pigmentation on their ears.
The smallest of the Asians are the Borneo pygmy elephants which have longer ears and tails, and straighter tusks.
Interesting facts about elephants
- 1An elephant holding his trunk in the air is often smelling so he can discern dangers.
- 2Elephants are the only animal that has no natural predators. Only the very young or sickly are ever attacked by other animals.
- 3Male elephants experience periods of aggression called musths (or must), Hindu for madness. Reproductive hormones are high during this period.
- 4Female elephants experience estrus and are ready to breed around thirteen years of age.
- 5Elephants are known for their memories and intelligence. Their brains weigh about 11 pounds, are the largest of any land animals, and resemble the structure of the human brain.
- 6Elephants not only hear through their ears but through vibrations felt in their trunks and feet.
- 7Elephants communicate through trumpeting, rumbling growls, and sub-sonic rumblings that can travel great distances.
- 8An elephant can suck up to 15 quarts of water in its trunk which it will then spray into its mouth to drink or on its back as a shower.
- 9An elephant's trunk is a fusion of his nose and upper lip.
Other places with great information on elephants
- Elephant
- Wikipedia's article gives a comprehensive look at elephants.
- Elephant Information Repository
- Hosts all kinds of links to information on elephants.
Threats to elephant survival
- 1Natural habitats are being destroyed. The limited habitats are further reduced by the elephants' own natural foraging habits.
- 2Fertilization of lands poses a threat of poisoning to elephants.
- 3Hunting, both legal and illegal, affects the gentic pool which is now showing signs of developing elephants without external tusks.
- 4The population of elephants has drastically declined over the last several decades, mostly due to the ivory trade. Worldwide bans on ivory have begun to help turn this decline around in a few parts of the world.
Use, abuse and exploitation
Elephants have been used, abused, and exploited for centuries. Primitive and third world societies have used elephants as beasts of burden to help clear land or as a mode of transportation. They have been used in war battles to terrorize the enemy in India, China, Persia, and in the famous battle of Hannibal crossing the Alps to attack the Romans. They are commonly used in ceremonial activities in India, and in entertainment venues through out the world. The training used to teach elephants the tricks we find so amusing in circuses, movies, and zoos, is often horribly cruel and abusive.
The movie, "Water for Elephants," is such a poignant movie based on a historical novel by Sara Gruen about circus life in the depression era. In the end, Rosy is rescued from her abuser. The movie, while difficult to watch in spots, brings to light the horror of animal abuse and cruelty, as well as human cruelty. Ironically, the starring elephant, Tai, who plays Rosy, has a history of being abused which made the headlines when the movie was released.
The movie, "Water for Elephants," is such a poignant movie based on a historical novel by Sara Gruen about circus life in the depression era. In the end, Rosy is rescued from her abuser. The movie, while difficult to watch in spots, brings to light the horror of animal abuse and cruelty, as well as human cruelty. Ironically, the starring elephant, Tai, who plays Rosy, has a history of being abused which made the headlines when the movie was released.
Important articles on elephant abuse
There are unfortunately so many articles, blogs and videos on this topic, I decided to list just a few. I chose not to show videos of the animal cruelty, but you can easily search for the videos on the Internet should you so choose. I cannot stomach watching them, and felt that many of the readers of this article would be distressed also to see them.
- Water for Elephants: Circus Cruelty is Not a Thing of the Past
- Blog on circus cruelty.
- 'Water for Elephants' Bosses Address Abuse Reports
- The movie's producers' rebuttal.
- Circuses
- PETA's comments on circus cruelty to animals.
- Trial Reveals Extreme Elephant Abuse by Ringling Bros. Circus
- PETA's coverage of th Ringling Brothers circus creuelty trial.
- Elephant Abuse at Zoo Leads to Lawsuit
- Ariticle from the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
Elephant Sanctuaries in the United States
Here are three wonderful organizations that give sanctuary to elephants (and other animals, at some) so they can live more natural, peaceful lives free from abuse. If your heart has been touched by this article, please consider donating to these organizations, or other organizations that champion animal rights and humane treatment.
- The Elephant Sanctuary
- This wonderful organization that rescues abused and exploited female elephants is housed in Hohenwald, Tennessee. The rescued African and Asian elephants residing at The Elephant Sanctuary enjoy the largest natural habitat refuge in the United States. Here, they receive medical care and rehabilitation, if needed, and tender, loving care for the rest of their lives.
- Riddle's Elephant and Wildlife Sanctuary
- This sanctuary in Arkansas accepts elephants of any species, sex, or disposition and for any reason. They provide care on 330 acres of land in the foothills of the Ozark mountains. The organization is internationally recognized.
- PAWS (Performing Animal Welfare Society)
- This organization located in California rescues animals who have been forced to perform in circuses and zoos, or other wildlife acts. It offers them a safe haven to roam in the wild, as well as heated barns and medical care. They currently have 9 elephants.
Other articles on Squidoo on helping animals
RSS News Feeds on elephants
To view some incredible photography of man and elephants, visit Gregory Colbert's Ashes and Snow exhibition.
Charity Poll
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Books about elephants
More books about elephants
Movies about elephants
Beautiful elephant tiles made by my daughter, Carrie Martin
on etsy
Carrie has sold out of all but this tile right now. She is busy making more, so be sure to check out Corduroy Clay on etsy for wonderful pottery tiles. Visit my article on Carrie's handmade pottery tiles also.
Elephant Ear Art Tile, Blue | Price: $55
Here's another elephant to celebrate my ever growing collection of tiles. For each of these tiles sold through Etsy, I will donate $10 to The Ele... (full description)
Photos of Carrie's art work
Carrie's new technique of layering the clay produces this wonderful bas relief tile.
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If your heart was touched by this article on elephants, please leave your comments
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sherioz
May 28, 2012 @ 7:27 am | delete
- I just got back from Kenya and visited the elephant orphanage there. It was remarkable. So I have been sensitized to their plight.
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bakerwoman May 27, 2012 @ 12:26 pm | delete
- I saw the movie "Water for Elephants" and it made me very sad about abuse of elephants in circuses. I also collect elephants, with the trunk up, of course, for good luck. Your daughter creates beautiful work. You must be a proud mother.
Blessed*****.
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lilymom24
May 27, 2012 @ 11:18 am | delete
- What a nice lens on Elephants and I love all the posters. =)
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psiloveyou
May 27, 2012 @ 10:56 am | delete
- Excellent lens and beautiful photos!
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mariajomith
May 25, 2012 @ 5:42 am | delete
- beautiful lens, and thought provoking as well, thanks
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Aboutlowercholesterol
May 24, 2012 @ 5:11 am | delete
- I live in South Africa and have grown up around these majestic creatures. I love them, will never get tired of them and wish I could get out into the bush more often to just sit and gaze on their beauty.
Thanx for this insightful lens.
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charlb May 23, 2012 @ 1:57 pm | delete
- What a great lens! They are such adorable creatures
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bloomingrose
May 20, 2012 @ 11:49 pm | delete
- Wonderful lens - Squidoo angel blessed and pinned to my board "Cool Critters." I have never seen anyone get over 1K pins, people must really care about this. Thanks for taking on the challenge to write about these lovely beasts.
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getmoreinfo
May 17, 2012 @ 3:14 pm | delete
- These are such lovely pictures of the elephants and it is so sad that we are losing them to extinction.
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veryirie
May 17, 2012 @ 2:30 pm | delete
- I will no longer attend any circus or carnival where they have live animals in cages or performing. Just can't and won't do it.
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A little about the author
I became a Giant Squid at the Super Level (25 articles) as well as a SquidAngel in October, 2011. In February, 2012, I made Monster Squid (at least 50 quality lenses). I also am an Amazon and Allposters affiliate.
Come join me on Squidoo. It is a wonderful place to be. It's free and so much fun. Just click here: Join Squidoo
Come join me on Squidoo. It is a wonderful place to be. It's free and so much fun. Just click here: Join Squidoo
Some of my other articles you may enjoy
Index for Everything Elephants
Click on any item and jump back to that section in the article
- Evolution
- African Elephants
- Asian Elephants
- Interesting facts about elephants
- Other places with great information on elephants
- Threats to elephant survival
- Use, abuse and exploitation
- Important articles on elephant abuse
- Elephant Sanctuaries in the United States
- The Elephant Sanctuary
- PAWS - Performing Animal Welfare Society
- Other articles on Squidoo on helping animals
- RSS News Feeds on elephants
- Charity Poll
- Books about elephants
- More books about elephants
- More elephant photos to enjoy
- Movies about elephants
- Beautiful elephant tiles made by my daughter, Carrie Martin
- Photos of Carrie's art work
- Wow! The article has received Angel Blessings!
- Wow!!! This article received a Purple Star!
- If you enjoyed this article about Everything Elephant, please leave us a thumb's up
- If your heart was touched by this article on elephants, please leave your comments
- A little about the author
- Some of my other articles you may enjoy
by AlleyCatLane
Everything Elephant came to mind today when I received my newsletter from The Elephant Sanctuary. I decided to write an article all about elephants, a... more »
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