Elephants have been around for millions of years. From their origins in the Wooly Mammoth to the modern day elephant, there have been key changes to elephant anatomy that has allowed them to go from snowy tundra to African plains.
Elephants have certain anatomical features which have evolved over the years and become extremely specialized. They live in warmer climates so certain body features have become adept at reducing body heat and allowing the elephant to thrive in high temperatures. Like other mammals they have a spine and central nervous system, as well as a heart that has four chambers. A four chambered heart is common to mammals and birds but a reptile heart has a three chambered heart.
Elephants are the largest land mammals. African elephants are larger than Asian elephants. Male African elephants can grow to 12 feet tall at the shoulder and females grow to about 10 feet. With Asian elephants, males grow between 7 and 11 feet at the shoulder and females can be about the same.
Key points where an African elephant's anatomy differs from that of the Asian elephant are in the skeletal system, the trunk and the tusks. Tusks, which are common to all elephants are different in Asian and African elephants.
All elephants have the same basic body shape. They have a thick, rounded body and head, with large ears. The ears play an important part in helping to keep the elephant cool. They are large but thin, and full of blood vessels. As an elephant flaps its ears, the blood is cooled by the movement of the air. This prevents the elephant from overheating. An Asian elephant's back is more rounded than that of the African elephant, and it has ears that are smaller.
The trunk is an important tool for the elephant. Although it seems thick and clumsy, it is actually capable of moving with great precision. The elephant uses its trunk to pick up food or other objects and bring it to the mouth. The trunk is tipped with a finger-like object. The Asian elephant has one protrusion at the tip of its trunk but the African elephant has two.
Tusks are modified teeth. They are made up of the second set of incisors in an elephant's mouth. Most people think all elephants have teeth but this is not the case. While male and female African elephants have tusks, many female Asian elephants do not. They have teeth which are called tushes but these are not visible unless the elephant's mouth is open. There are some Sri Lankan elephants which do not have tusks regardless of whether they are male or female.
Elephants are fascinating to observe because they have changed so much over the years. Their social structure remains basically the same but their anatomy has changed so much since the days when mammoths roamed the Earth.
Elephants have certain anatomical features which have evolved over the years and become extremely specialized. They live in warmer climates so certain body features have become adept at reducing body heat and allowing the elephant to thrive in high temperatures. Like other mammals they have a spine and central nervous system, as well as a heart that has four chambers. A four chambered heart is common to mammals and birds but a reptile heart has a three chambered heart.
Elephants are the largest land mammals. African elephants are larger than Asian elephants. Male African elephants can grow to 12 feet tall at the shoulder and females grow to about 10 feet. With Asian elephants, males grow between 7 and 11 feet at the shoulder and females can be about the same.
Key points where an African elephant's anatomy differs from that of the Asian elephant are in the skeletal system, the trunk and the tusks. Tusks, which are common to all elephants are different in Asian and African elephants.
All elephants have the same basic body shape. They have a thick, rounded body and head, with large ears. The ears play an important part in helping to keep the elephant cool. They are large but thin, and full of blood vessels. As an elephant flaps its ears, the blood is cooled by the movement of the air. This prevents the elephant from overheating. An Asian elephant's back is more rounded than that of the African elephant, and it has ears that are smaller.
The trunk is an important tool for the elephant. Although it seems thick and clumsy, it is actually capable of moving with great precision. The elephant uses its trunk to pick up food or other objects and bring it to the mouth. The trunk is tipped with a finger-like object. The Asian elephant has one protrusion at the tip of its trunk but the African elephant has two.
Tusks are modified teeth. They are made up of the second set of incisors in an elephant's mouth. Most people think all elephants have teeth but this is not the case. While male and female African elephants have tusks, many female Asian elephants do not. They have teeth which are called tushes but these are not visible unless the elephant's mouth is open. There are some Sri Lankan elephants which do not have tusks regardless of whether they are male or female.
Elephants are fascinating to observe because they have changed so much over the years. Their social structure remains basically the same but their anatomy has changed so much since the days when mammoths roamed the Earth.
About the Author:
Henry Payne has lived in Africa for most of his life and during that time has spent a large amount of time watching elephants.
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