Elephants are the largest land mammals on earth and have distinctly massive bodies, large ears, and long trunks. They use their trunks to pick up objects, trumpet warnings, greet other elephants, or suck up water for drinking or bathing, among other uses.

African elephants are the largest animals walking the Earth. Their herds wander through 37 countries in Africa. They are easily recognized by their trunk that is used for communication and handling objects.

Asian elephants are extremely sociable, forming groups of six to seven related females that are led by the oldest female, the matriarch. Like African elephants, these groups occasionally join others to form larger herds, although these associations are relatively short-lived.

African forest elephants are smaller than African savanna elephants, the other African elephant species. Their ears are more oval-shaped and their tusks are straighter and point downward (the tusks of savanna elephants curve outwards).

Indian elephants may spend up to 19 hours a day feeding and they can produce about 220 pounds of dung per day while wandering over an area that can cover up to 125 square miles. This helps to disperse germinating seeds.

African savanna elephants are the largest species of elephant and the biggest terrestrial animal on Earth. They are easily distinguished by their very large ears—which allow them to radiate excess heat—and front legs which are noticeably longer than the hind legs.

Common name Scientific name Conservation status ↓ African forest elephant: Critically Endangered: Amur Leopard: Panthera pardus orientalis

Use this toolkit to teach young learners about elephants, the threats they face, and what we can do to protect them and other wildlife. These resources are geared towards students in grades 3-5 and can be used in any learning environment.

Why are Asian elephants in Southeast Asia and China of particular conservation concern? In Southeast Asia and China, Asian elephants are facing escalating habitat loss and fragmentation, human-elephant conflict, poaching, and small populations that are increasingly isolated.

How many species of elephants are there? There are three species of elephant—African Savanna, African Forest and Asian. How do elephants sense warnings from other elephants?