Proboscidea By Ciera Kinley Bio

Proboscidea Contains one living family (Elephantidae) and several extinct families Order dates back to MYA, with first member being the Moeritheres Currently: - 1 family - 3 species - 4 subspecies

Elephantidae Trunks are actually long noses, used for breathing, smelling, drinking, and grabbing things Trunk alone contains about 100,000 muscles Eat roots, grasses, fruit, and bark Rarely sleep, but roam great distances

(.) Elephantidae (cont’d.) Females travel in large herds with young, while males usually roam alone Pregnancies last for about 22 months Calves stay under protection of mothers for much longer than most mammals

Elephas maximus Asian Elephant

Elephas maximus Identified by their smaller, rounder ears Live up to 60 years Only males have tusks Reach sexual maturity at 9-15 years of age Range: Southeast Asia

Asian Elephant Subspecies Indian Elephant Elephas maximus indicus Sri Lankan Elephant Elephas maximus maximus Sumatran Elephant Elephas maximus sumatrensis Borneo Elephant Elephas maximus borneensis

Loxodonta African Elephants

Loxodonta Large ears radiate heat to keep them cool Tusks used to dig for food and water, and to strip bark off of trees Live up to 70 years

Loxodonta cyclontis African Forest Elephant Smaller of African elephants Thin, straight tusks Smoother skin Found in forests of Republic of Congo Loxodonta africana African Savannah Elephant Largest land mammal Bigger, curved tusks Larger home range Found in savannah zones of south Africa

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