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Elephants
Let's learn about Elephants
Elephants are large mammals, easily set apart by their long snout and ivory tusks. Over the past 40 million years, over 600 species of elephants have lived on Earth. However, out of these, a mere 3 remain... the African savanna and forest elephants, and the Asian. The human hunting and habitat destruction have killed many off, and biologists are unsure if the elephant will live on.
Elephants are prized by humans, however. Their great strength and large size have given many humans advantages in war. Religiously, Buddhists believe a white elephant is a manifestation of the gods. Elephants are beautifully dressed up for religious ceremonies in many southeast Asian countries.
Elephant Facts
Elephants once roamed on all continents except Australia and Antarctica, but today they only exist in Africa and some parts of Asia.
An elephant can travel from 3,100 miles to 6,200 miles in one year, awarding it the longest mammal migration recorded.
An elephant can consume 300 to 600 pounds of food a day, and 60% of that leaves the body undigested.
The trunk of an elephant can lift up to one ton.
The trunk holds up to 3 gallons of water!
Trunks are often used as snorkels when elephants are in deep water.
Elephants sleep while standing up.
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