Elephants are large mammals of the family Elephantidae and the order Proboscidea. Traditionally, two species were known, the African elephant(Loxodonta africana) and the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), although some evidence suggests that African bush elephants and African forest elephants are separate species (L. africana and L. cyclotis respectively). Elephants are scattered throughout sub-Saharan Africa, and South andSoutheast Asia. They are the only surviving proboscideans, although many extinct species have been identified, including the mammoths. Elephants are the largest living terrestrial animals; male African elephants can reach a height of 4 m (13 ft) and weigh as much as 7,000 kg (15,000 lb). These animals have several distinctive features, including a long proboscis or trunk that they use for numerous purposes, particularly for grasping objects. Their incisorsgrow into large tusks, which serve as tools for moving objects and digging, as well as weapons for fighting. The ear flaps are particularly large and help to control the temperature of their massive bodies. African elephants have larger ears and concave backs while Asian elephants have smaller ears and convex backs.
