Elephants are the largest land animals. They have large ears and long, bendy trunks and two, long curved tusks. They are intelligent animals and may live for more than 60 years. Females stay in family groups led by the oldest female, while males travel alone or in small bands. After resting in the midday heat, elephants roam in search of grass, leaves, roots, shoots and fruits to eat. They also eat twigs and bark.

Elephants are found in both Africa and Asia. The African elephants (there are two kinds: the bush and plains elephants) have larger ears and longer tusks than the Asian elephant. The Asian’s back has a more humped shape than the Africans'. Its trunk has only one lip, while the Africans have two. The African plains elephant is the biggest of the three kinds, followed by the Asian. The African forest elephant is the smallest. Many Asian elephants have been tamed and used for carrying heavy loads.

An elephant uses its trunk to pick off leaves or gather up fruits and put them in its mouth. The trunk is powerful enough to lift logs. But it is also very sensitive. The finger-like lips at the tip of the trunk can pick up very small objects. The trunk is also used to suck up water and as a dust sprayer. Other uses include sniffing, greeting and stroking. An elephant can even use its trunk as a snorkel. This allows it to breathe while it swims, or when it walks on the river bottom.

Tusks

An elephant's tusks are used to dig for roots or water during the dry season. They are also handy for ripping bark from trees or tearing vegetation apart. Males may use their tusks as weapons in fights with other males. The tusks grow at a rate of about 17 centimetres (7 inches) a year.