Facts, Information, Scientific Name of Asian Elephant
Let us learn about a Trumpeting ‘Megaherbivore’ animal, which thrives and occupies a large amount of Habitat range for its Survival.
Common name – Asian Elephant.
Scientific Name – Elephas maximus.
Height – 2.4 m to 2.8 m
Weight – 4-8 Tonnes.
Distribution & Habitat.
Asian Elephant is widespread in Indian Subcontinent & Southeast Asia. Asian Elephant dwells in Forests, Shrubland, and Grasslands.
Appearance
Asian elephants are Tall. They have Brown patches on Grey-colored Bodies. They have long Flappy Ears. A Long Trunk is also derived from the ‘upperlip’ or ‘proboscis’. These long Trunks are used to Hold water, Wrestle during mating Fights, and most important Eat and Drinking Water. Asian Elephant legs are Columnar. They produce Rumbles by Tapping their legs on the ground to warm other Elephants, within a certain distance, in case of Emergency. For purpose of Communication, Asian Elephants produce different kinds of Calls (sounds) such as Trumpets, Growls, Snorts, etc, which indicate different Gestures. Elephants have Tusks which are for Digging grounds to find minerals or Water supply during the time of Dry season or Draught. Elephant Tusks are also crucial to cut down Tree bark while Browsing ( Eating Trees).
Asian Elephant Diet
Asian Elephants feed on 12 different types of Plants. They are also dependent on Plant Family called ‘Malvales’, which includes Trees and Shrubs. Asian Elephants feed on Tree bark in Dry seasons. They Drink 80-200 litters of Freshwater.
Breeding
Male Asian Elephants when between the age of 10-20 years old release Pheromones that can be signalled through Urine and a gland called ‘Temporal Gland’. They also produce ‘musth’ which triggers the aggressive behaviour of Fighting Mate. Females give birth to a ‘call of Asian Elephant in 18-22 Months.
Threats
Asian Elephants are poached for their Skin, Ivory(Tusks), and Meat.
Habitat Destruction is also the reason which Elephants are Endangered Species. ‘Endangered’ is a term that explains they are about to become ‘Vulnerable’ to exist. World Elephant Day is celebrated on 12th August to create Awareness.
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