African Elephant

 

One of the greatest experiences in Samburu National Park was just sitting watching the giant African Elephants socialize.

It was really incredible to watch as they jostled with each other. This was a breakthrough experience between us and our guide who enjoyed our sense of wonder just watching nature. He explained that too many people just want to tick off the animals that they see and not actually sit and enjoy them. From this point on it was always us who determined when it was time to move along in search of something else.

African Elephants are the largest animals walking the Earth. Their herds wander through 37 countries in Africa.

They are easily recognized by their trunk that is used for communication and handling objects.

And their large ears allow them to radiate excess heat.

Upper incisor teeth develop into tusks in African elephants and grow throughout their lifetime.

There are two species of African elephants—the savanna (or bush) elephant and the forest elephant. Savanna elephants are larger than forest elephants, and their tusks curve outwards.

In addition to being smaller, forest elephants are darker and their tusks are straighter and point downward. There are also differences in the size and shape of the skull and skeleton between the two species. WWF