Elephantidae (the elephants) is a family of pachyderm, and the only remaining family in the order Proboscidea. Elephantidae has three living species: the African Bush Elephant and the African Forest Elephant (which were collectively known as the African Elephant) and the Asian Elephant (formerly known as the Indian Elephant). Other species have become extinct since the last ice age, which ended about 10,000 years ago.
Elephants are mammals, and the largest land animals alive today. The elephant's gestation period is 22 months, the longest of any land animal. At birth it is common for an elephant calf to weigh 120 kg (265 lb). An elephant may live as long as 70 years, sometimes longer. The largest elephant ever recorded was shot in Angola in 1974. It was male and weighed 12,000 kg (26,400 lb). The smallest elephants, about the size of a calf or a large pig, were a prehistoric variant that lived on the island of Crete until 5000 BC, possibly 3000 BC. Their scattered skulls, featuring a single large trunk-hole at the front, perhaps formed the basis of belief in existence of cyclops, one-eyed giants featured in Homer's Odyssey.
Recent findings of animal remains in central China show Prehistoric humans ate elephants. The elephant is now a protected animal, and keeping one as a pet is prohibited around the world.
More on [ Elephant ]
Proboscidea :: Mammals
Elephants :: Mammals
Elephants :: Specific Animals
Elephants and Ivory :: Trade in Wildlife and Plants

Absolut Elephant - Information about captive and wild elephants. Includes photos, illustrations, and range maps.
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African and Asian Elephants - Notes on the elephant family.
Elephant Anatomy - Notes on the anatomy and internal systems of the Elephant.
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Elephant Country - Personal site with information about African and Asian elephants.
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Elephant News - News and articles about captive and wild elephants.
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Elephant project - Elefriends - Helping to support wild Elephant studies in Amboseli, Kenya and an Elephant sanctuary in Tennessee, U.S.A.
Meta Description: [ Born Free Foundation's Elefriends project helping to support wild Elephant studies in Amboseli, Kenya and a unique Elephant sanctuary for Elephants rescued from circuses and zoos in Tennesse, U.S.A. ]
Elephants at Nature Haven - Personal page about elephants.
Meta Description: [ Elephants are more than just the largest living land animals, they are a ]
Elephants in Zoo and Circus - Elephant encyclopedia written by an elephant keeper. In English and German.
Meta Description: [ Alles über Elefant Elefanten in Zoo und Zirkus geschrieben von einem Elefantenpfleger und Webpublisher SIZ, All about elephant elephants in zoo and circus. Written by a elephant keeper. ]
European Elephant Keeper and Managers Association - Forum for keepers, information about events and global network.
Meta Description: [ EEKMA - European Elephant Keepers and Managers Association ]
Introduction to the Proboscidea - Type collection database, and links to external resources.
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Proboscidea: Classification - Taxonomic classification of Asian and African Elephants, Mammoths and Mastodons.
The Elephant Information Repository - Information about the elephant family, and links to related Internet resources.
Meta Description: [ The best source on the internet for anything about elephants! This includes elephant links, elephant news, elephant conservation, and an in-depth look at the Elephant. ]
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