African Elephant facts: the largest living land animals | Animal Fact Files

African elephants are the largest living land animals in the world. They are currently listed as threatened by extinction. While they do have predators like lions, hyenas, wild dogs, and crocodiles, the greatest threats to African elephant populations are anthropogenic. African elephants spend most of their waking hours eating - some may eat upwards of 300 pounds (136kg) in a single day! In fact, African elephants have to eat so much food that they end up only sleeping about four hours each day. What a wonderful life. African elephant clans are made up of mostly females and immature males. Mature males live alone or in loose bachelor groups. The largest female of the group is typically the matriarch and her offspring are the first in line for taking over responsibility for the clan when she passes. African elephants are know to mourn the passing of their group members and are believed to have an excellent memory.

Scientific Name: Genus - Loxodonta
- African savannah elephant (Loxodonta africana)
- African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis)
Range: fragmented populations across Africa mostly confined to protected sanctuaries
Size: 4,400 and 13,450 pounds (2,000-6,100kg) in weight; 7 to 13 feet (2.2-4m) at shoulder height
Diet: fruits, grasses, bark, and twigs
Lifespan: up to 70 years