Come to Africa and see Elephant on Safari. The African Elephant is the largest mammal walking dryland. These magnificent animals are split into two species, the largest being the African Elephant and the smaller Asiatic Elephant. Further more the African Elephant can be split up into the Desert Elephant (Namibia), Forest Elephant ( Southern Cape Forest ) and the Bushveld and Savanna Elephant. They all share the same genetics.
For Centuries, since trading was done out of Africa Elephant have been vulnerable to certain regions in Africa. Their huge tusks reaching high dollar values. Populations in the Eastern African Plains have been dwindling. Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa are the only countries showing a positive increase in populations. Botswana has a population of 130 000 individuals, Zimbabwe 82 OOO and South Africa with a population of 28 168 individuals. Africa is the best place to elephant.
Elephant have a definite herd structure with breeding herds lead by the Matriarchal female, where herds consist of cows, young premature bulls and calves. Young bulls will be pushed out of the herd once their behavior’s becomes more aggressive. Bulls ,when they reach 14-16 years of age the will often be seen wondering alone or forming a small group of males. Interaction with the sexually mature females only occurs during mating. Lone males don’t have to cover a massive feeding range as Females do. Where males do form groups they do participate in combat to show male dominance. Fighting can be playful or extreme leading to death. Across species combat has been seen between Elephant young bulls and Rhino resulting in death of the Rhino. This occurs when the young bulls go into musth when testosterone levels are high. Young bulls being much more aggressive then the old guys. As they say maturity comes with age.
The herd of Elephant are lead by the Matriarchal Female. Thought has always been that size and age played an role in Matriarchal hierarchy. New research suggests that the matriarchal leadership is rather selected by the herd. It is now thought that members of the herd suggest who their leader should be determined by their age and wisdom. She has earned the respect and shows the ability of compassion to other family members.
Communication between Elephant occurs in various ways. Elephant can communicate over great distances by two methods, one being the obvious of using sounds which are audible to the ears but also by sending sound at certain frequencies which can travel great distances through the ground. These frequencies are picked up by the feet. These two methods of communication allows the Elephants to know the direction from where the me message is coming from and the content of the message. Communication can be passive form of “ general ” talk where a louder more explosive form of sound will be more for alerts or showing direction.
Reproduction: mating can take place at any time of the year. Males pick up on the smell of hormones in the females urine. This gives an male a indication on the females reproduction status. The information is picked up by the males trunk and blown onto the Jacobson’s organ. The Jacobson’s organ is situated on the top palate of the mouth. Mating can take anything from 4 hours to a few days and males staying with females to ensure other males don’t mate with her. Males will trunk wrestle and push each other to ensure sole mating rights to a particular female. This ” battle “ for mating rights seldom gets serious enough for injury.
Females are reproductive ready or in estrous for 3 weeks, how ever she is only receptive for 3-5 days during this time. When females pick up on males in musth, after which they may show more interest in the approaching males. They often walk with head high constantly looking over their shoulders. They will also vocalize at this time, allowing males to locate them. Elephants will touch each other with their trunks before mounting takes place
