The Disappearing Giants
Endangered Asian Elephants need our help.
Reasons for Endangerment
- Major Habitat Loss
- Rising human population= less space for elephants
- Elephants hunted for ivory, meat, and skin
- Elephants are used for logging
- Source: AUT
Description
- Mammals (NATGEO)
- Thick gray skin (AUT)
- Weigh two to five tons*
- Up to twenty one feet long; six to nine feet at shoulder*
- Communicate via rumbles, growls, bellows, moans, trumpets, and touch* (AUT)
- Have a trunk: an extended nose (NATGEO)
Adaptations
- Padded feet for quiet walking (SMITHZOO)
- Trunks, ears, and skin used for cooling purposes (NATGEO, SMITHZOO, AUT)
- Touch to warn of danger (AUT)
- Trunks used for picking up food (NATGEO)
- Travel in herds (AUT)
- Color helps them blend in (AUT, DKE)
Habitat
- Live in grasslands, tropical forests, semi- deciduous/ mountain forests*
- Stay near water sources*
- Climate is cool, tropical, and shady*
- No permanent homes (NATGEO)
- Exist mostly in Asian countries*
Food
- Food found in natural habitat
- Are herbivores
- Usually not prey, but humans hunt them
- Eat roots, bark, grasses, and fruit
Critical Information
- Logging is illegal**
- Global ivory ban**
- Wildlife reserves**
- Elephants can't be traded**
- Held provide food for other animals***
- Dig up water holes***
- Elephant paths commonly used***
- Elephants can protect other animals***