How much does an elephant weigh? Almost as much as 4 rhinoceroses or 18 zebras

Everyone knows that elephants are the largest terrestrial mammals. But do everyone know that in Africa both the largest representatives of these animals and the smallest of them live? And how much does an elephant weigh in the rainforest? Let's try to answer these and other questions concerning the remarkable animals of the family Elephantidae.

More recently, they were divided into two types: African and Indian. Today, scientists believe that the inhabitants of Africa should be divided into two separate types: savannah and forest. And the reason for this is not only different habitats, but also some other features, in particular how much an elephant weighs each kind.

Giants from Africa

Researchers suggest that elephant elephants as a species appeared about 1.9 million years ago, and forest plants - 1.7 million years ago. Moreover, numerous studies conducted by biologists have shown that the East African representatives of these animals have significant differences in DNA, and they should also be isolated as a separate species.

Of the whole elephant family, the smallest ones are forest. The average height of them is about 2.5 meters, and the length of the trunk is from 1.6 to 2.8 meters. How much does an elephant of this species weigh? Yes, less than all the others! Although the size of males is slightly larger than females, rarely one of them weighs more than 5 tons.

There are several other features that differentiate forest representatives from savannahs:

• The presence of a thicker coat;
• Round shape of the ears, helping them to cool the body;
• The number of sweat glands is much less;
• Tusks are straight and thin.

Usually mature males live separately, and females gather in groups of several individuals, which also include their young. Dwelling forest giants in the tropical forests of the central and western part of the continent.

When the question arises as to how much the elephant weighs, then the example of the inhabitant of the African savannahs is always given as an example. And this is not accidental. The Savon elephant is the largest sushi animal. With an increase of 3.5 meters and a body length of about 7 meters, its mass can reach 5-7 tons. The females are lighter than males, and also they have a smaller length of tusks. In 1975, in Angola, the largest representative of this species, weighing 12.2 tons, was shot by hunters.

In addition to its large size, the saber-like elephant differs from others with huge ears, a saddle on its back, a smooth forehead and a darker coat in young individuals that wear away with time. The herd is dominated by the family environment. At risk, animals collectively protect the toddlers and wounded brothers. Between themselves they fight very seldom. This species is distributed south of the Sahara Desert.

Dexterity and strength of giants

Despite how much this massive animal weighs, the elephant is very mobile and has a certain dexterity. They easily move not only along the plains, but also over mountainous terrain, they are even able to climb steep slopes. In addition, the giants perfectly swim. Slowly they can swim without stopping all day, only the tip of the trunk is visible above the surface of the water.

The animals walk very quietly, the whole family can cross the forest thicket without crackling a single branch. With their leisurely pace, they can travel long distances of tens of kilometers.