The African bush elephant is the larger of the two species of African elephant. Both it and the African forest elephant have usually been classified as a single species, known simply as the African elephant, but recent evidence has seen the forest elephant classified as a distinct species . Some authorities still consider the currently available evidence as insufficient for splitting African elephants into two species.
Similar species: Elephants
By dunlak
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Uploaded Mar 19, 2019. Captured in Ngamiland East, Botswana.
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We’re beginning a series highlighting some of the most fantastic body parts belonging to wildlife. Today, we are focusing on exceptional ears! Over the next week, we’ll also be featuring creatures with unique eyes, noses, mouths, feet, and ‘other’. Stay tuned! #JungleDragon
African elephant ears are truly enormous. Each ear is about six feet tall, five feet wide, and weights up to 100 lbs. Their ears are useful for the exact purpose you would assume: hearing. Under ideal conditions, they can hear at distances up to 10 km (6.2 miles)! In addition, the large surface area of their ears dissipates heat; their ears have thousands of blood vessels that allow excess body heat to escape. Plus, they use their ears as fans! Of course, there’s more! Their ears help protect them from the harsh African sun. Finally, they communicate with their ears, flapping them to signify joy or aggression. {African Bush Elephant (Loxodonta africana) spotted in Botswana, Africa by dunlak} #Africanelephant #Loxodontaafricana
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Posted 2 years ago