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General
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The largest of all land mammals, the Elephant is unmistakable,
with its long trunk, and ivory tusks. The trunk of an
elephant is the most fascinating organ, it is extremely
dexterous, able to pick up very fine objects, with it
the elephant is also able to drink and to cool itself
off, by sucking water up into its trunk and spaying it
out, either into its mouth or over its back in a shower.
It is also used to feed with, plucking leaves and branches
off trees, and picking up grass. The tusks of the Elephant
are used as general tools, for tasks such as digging and
stripping trees of bark, but they can make formidable
weapons as well. Elephants range widely for food. Elephants
feet are cushioned, acting as shock absorbers thus allowing
the animal to move very quietly for an animal of its size.
Elephants have a very complex social structure and calves
are very dependent on their mothers for the first years
of their lives. They are slow developers when compared
with other animals, with the females only having their
first calve at about the age of 11 years, and bulls not
competing for mating rights before the age of about 20
years.
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