The Earth's Largest Land Animal

The African elephant, which can grow up to 3.5 meters in height and weigh over 5,000 kg, is the largest land mammal on the planet. They used to be found in much smaller areas of central and southern Africa, but their historical range previously covered a large portion of the continent.

These nomadic mammals, which live in plains, savannahs, and woodlands, migrate throughout the African wilderness for food and water most of the year. They travel in tiny family groups of ten or more, which are made up of moms and their young. Here are a few of their more intriguing details:

1. Have four molars that weigh up to 5kg apiece and can reach 30cm long.

2. Tusk lengths can reach 2.5 meters, and they often weigh 50 to 100 pounds.

3. It is known that family groups will get together to establish a clan consisting of about a thousand members.

4. Their big ears serve them more as a cooling device than as a hearing aid.

5. They have a trunk capacity of 1.5 gallons at a time.

6. A single individual can consume up to 50 gallons of water each day.

7. Thought to spend roughly 16 hours a day eating up to 495lbs of food.

8. The longest pregnancy of any terrestrial mammal lasts for an average of 22 months.

9. Babies are able to walk immediately after birth and weigh up to 120kg.

10. They have the ability to mourn the loss of departed family members and recognize familiar faces.