African Elephant

Genus	Loxodonta
Species	Africana
Status	Threatened
Habitat	Grasslands
Distribution	Sub-Saharan Africa
Height at Shoulder	3 - 4 m
Weight	males 5 500kg, females 3 700kg
Feeding	Elephants are herbivores and constantly feeds. They drink about 160 litres a day. They eat about 300 kg of vegetation a day, producing about 100 kg of dung. They mainly feed on leaves, grass, tender shoots etc.
Breeding	Birthing mothers mothers are assisted by other females, cows are caressed and guarded by the group
Did You Know	The African elephant tusk's are actually modified incisors. It is also the largest living land mammal
Conservation	A CITES treaty bans the trade in ivory internationally, but a number of countires refuse to comply. Currently officilly listed as a threatened species, on the ESA, which provides only a temporary ban on ivory trade into the USA. Conservation efforts under way for "endangered species" listing and to encourage boycott of ivory products.