You have to see the Elephants!!! by butterflykizzez04
Pachyderm ProfileThe African elephant is the largest living land mammal, with its relative, the Asian or Indian elephant, coming in a close second. Adult African elephants reach a length of 18-24 feet and a height of 10-13 feet. They weigh in at 8,800-15,500 pounds. Maximum size is reached at around 25 years of age.
Habitat
African elephants are native to a wide variety of habitats, including semi-desert scrub, open savannas and dense forest regions. However, whereas elephants once ranged throughout Africa, they are now mostly confined to parks and reserves south of the Sahara Desert. Only about 20% of their range is under some form of protection.
When young male elephants reach puberty, around 12-15 years of age, they either leave the herd voluntarily or are driven out by the females. They then roam alone or gather in small, loosely bonded "bachelor" herds. Bulls temporarily rejoin cow herds when females are ready to mate.
Adult elephants appear to recognize individual members of their family group as well as members of extended groupings. Members of a group will often pause briefly to exchange touches when passing one another in the bush. Elephants are even thought to display compassion when a group member is injured and grief when a familiar elephant dies.