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How to tell a Bull Elephant & Cow Elephant apart?

5/28/2021

 

How to tell a Bull Elephant &

​Cow Elephant apart?

Elephant skin is wrinkled in appearance, with African elephants more wrinkled than Asian elephants. Wrinkles act as a cooling mechanism by increasing the skin's surface area.
Elephant skin is wrinkled in appearance, with African elephants more wrinkled than Asian elephants. Wrinkles act as a cooling mechanism by increasing the skin's surface area.

​Cow elephants are known for their strong maternal instincts. Their main roles are to raise their young and lead their herd once they are old enough. They learn these skills from older generations as they remain with the female herd for as long as they live.

​I am a proud female elephant, entirely different from the bull. One way to tell us apart is by our heads. Males have a broader head while ours is sharper. We have smaller tusks, which weigh 20 kilograms each. My mother is my provider; protector; and leader therefore, I stick with her from a young age.

​As I grow older, I begin to take responsibility. I reach sexual maturity between the ages of 10-12 years. We usually have multiple mates throughout our lives, giving birth once every 2.5-4 years until the age of 50. It takes 22 months to give birth, which is over twice as long the human birth.
​
An elephant's eye has a typical diameter of 3.8 cm (1.5 in). They don't have typical frontal or even orbital placement for eyes. Elephant eyes are just about 2.5 cm (1 in) in diameter, making them only slightly bigger than the typical human eye.
An elephant's eye has a typical diameter of 3.8 cm (1.5 in). They don't have typical frontal or even orbital placement for eyes. Elephant eyes are just about 2.5 cm (1 in) in diameter, making them only slightly bigger than the typical human eye.

Cow elephants are highly family-oriented, their herds are guided by the oldest female who naturally has the most experience. A herd of elephants will protect a calf from any predators. The mother senses the danger and summons the rest of the herd, they will proceed to form a barricade around the baby elephant which leaves the predators with no choice but to back away. This can be intense, although video stories shows that the herd will be alert and ready to protect their smallest member.

“Our love, emotions and sense of accountability will grow for our young in the decades to come. As the bond we share is like no other.” - WFF
“Our love, emotions and sense of accountability will grow for our young in the decades to come. As the bond we share is like no other.” - WFF
​
The female is inevitably responsible for these tight-knit families, without them their calves are left unprotected and could die of starvation. Elephant females teach their young cows and bulls where to find dry season water sources such as natural springs, or where to dig for wells in dry riverbeds. Similarly, human females traditionally teach children where to fetch clean and safe water from rivers, streams, and wells. This demonstrates their importance in their families’ lives, identical to female humans. Cow elephants must be protected to keep their families safe and healthy.
​

Are elephant tusks actually just teeth?

Generally one tusk of an elephant will be shorter than the other. This is because the elephant will use it more often for things. Just like people are either right or left handed it is believed that these animals rely upon a dominant tusk.
Generally one tusk of an elephant will be shorter than the other. This is because the elephant will use it more often for things. Just like people are either right or left handed it is believed that these animals rely upon a dominant tusk.

The tusks of the elephants are their teeth. Although they might look like horns, elephant tusks are simply large incisors, similar to canines in human teeth. Tusks normally emerge after the elephant approaches 2 years of age. These tusks continue to expand throughout their lifespan.
Elephants use their trunks to lift, dig, gather food, and pry bark from trees to feed. They also serve as their primary protection if attacked.

How to tell an African Elephant subspecies apart from its ears?

Elephant ears, which are nearly a sixth the size of the animal's total body, are largely used as a cooling mechanism. The thin skin of the ears exposes large networks of small blood veins. This is especially true at the ears' outer borders.
Elephant ears, which are nearly a sixth the size of the animal's total body, are largely used as a cooling mechanism. The thin skin of the ears exposes large networks of small blood veins. This is especially true at the ears' outer borders.

The African elephants have larger ears. Apart from being slightly larger than other animals, the distinguishing characteristic of the African elephant is its larger head, which mimic the African continent. 
The African elephant trunks have two "fingers" at the tip that they use to grab items.
​

How many functions does an Elephants trunk have?

An elephant's trunk is an extremely powerful appendage thanks to the presence of 40,000 muscles. As a point of contrast, the human body is comprised of 600 individual muscles.
An elephant's trunk is an extremely powerful appendage thanks to the presence of 40,000 muscles. As a point of contrast, the human body is comprised of 600 individual muscles.

​The elephant's trunk is a flexible part of the body. The trunk of the elephant houses much of its sensory organs. Structurally, the trunk is the upper lip and nose of the elephants. They use it to smell, inhaling, touch, holding, and make sound.
​

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