Elephants

The family Elephantidae consists of only two species, but the fossil record shows that it may have once included as many as 350. The most evident difference between the two surviving species is size. The larger African elephant has much bigger ears, or pinnae, which help to cool it down and to trap sounds over long distances. The most prominent feature of both elephants, however, is the trunk, or proboscis — hence their order's name. An estimated 40,000 muscles make the trunk the most versatile of appendages — strong enough to lift heavy objects, yet deft enough to pick up a coin. Indispensable in the elephant's daily life, it is used for defense, smelling, drinking, feeding and sound production.

Elephants: One Big Family

order: proboscidea
(two species)

family: elephantidae elephants

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