They’re the worlds largest land animal. The African elephant is the world’s largest land mammal – with males on average measuring up to 3m high and weighing up to 6 tons. Males only reach their full size at 35-40 years – that’s well over half their lifespan as wild elephants can live for up to 60-70 years.

There are two species of elephant: African and Asian. The ears of African elephants are much larger than their cousins and are described as being shaped like the African continent, whereas the ears of Asian elephants are shaped like the Indian subcontinent. There’s also a trunk difference African elephants have two ‘fingers’ at the tip of their trunks, whereas Asian elephants have one.

Elephants have around 150,000 muscle units in their trunk. Their trunks are perhaps the most sensitive organ found in any mammal Asian elephants have been seen to pick up a peanut, shell it, blow the shell out and eat the nut. Elephants use their trunks to suck up water to drink it can contain up to 8 liters of water. They also use their trunks as a snorkel when swimming.

Elephant tusks are actually enlarged incisor teeth which first appear when elephants are around 2 years old. Tusks continue growing throughout their lives. Tusks are used to help with feeding  prising bark off trees or digging up roots or as a defense when fighting. But these beautiful tusks often cause elephants danger. They’re made from ivory a much desired object. Read on to find out why elephants are under threat.