Elephants

Elephants are gentle giants. They are the biggest land animals on Earth. There are two kinds: African elephants and Asian elephants. African elephants are larger and have bigger ears shaped like the continent of Africa.

Amazing Bodies

An elephant's trunk has over 40,000 muscles. They use it to breathe, smell, drink, and grab things. Elephants can suck up to 2 gallons of water in their trunk at once. Their big ears help them cool down on hot days.

Smart and Social

Elephants are very smart animals. They can remember places and other elephants for many years. They live in family groups led by the oldest female. Baby elephants stay close to their mothers for several years.

Fun Facts

• An elephant's brain weighs about 11 pounds, the largest of any land animal.
• Elephants can swim and use their trunk as a snorkel.
• They communicate using sounds too low for humans to hear.

Did You Know?

Elephants are one of the few animals that can recognize themselves in a mirror. They also show sadness when a family member dies.