Elephants

Sarah Hodge

 
 Table of Contents

Elephants 3 Questions 9
Two Types of Elephants 4 Glossary 10
Elephant Families 5 Common Core Standards 11
Baby Elephants 6 Works Referenced 12
Elephants Endangered 7 Media Attributions 13
Summary 8

 
 Elephants  
Elephants are the largest land animals on Earth. Elephants weigh 2 to 7 tons depending on the
species and the region they are from. They are light and dark shades of grey. An elephant’s trunk is a
long nose that has many uses. A trunk helps the elephant smell, breathe, drink, communicate, and grab
things. Both female and male elephants have beautiful ivory tusks. Tusks are useful when digging for
food and stripping bark from trees. When male elephants battle they use their tusks. Elephants’ large ears
are not only used for hearing. When it is hot in Africa and Asia their ears radiate heat to help keep them
cool and comfortable.
 

 
 
 Two Types of Elephants
There are two types of elephants: African and Asian. African elephants are
slightly larger than Asian elephants. The easiest way to differentiate between species is
their ears. African elephants have ears somewhat shaped like Africa. Asian elephants
have smaller, rounder ears.
The habitat for African elephants includes tropical forests, grasslands,
woodlands, and savannas. Asian elephants’ habitats are primarily tropical forests.
Both African and Asian elephants migrate throughout the year. African elephants have
been recorded migrating over 62 miles. Asian elephants have been recorded migrating
between 12 and 31 miles. Elephants migrate during the dry season.

 
 
 Elephant Families
Elephants live in a herd. A herd consists of all female elephants and their babies. Male
elephants live with the females until the age of twelve, and then they live on their own. Males will visit
female herds every once in a while to mate.
In each herd there is one elder female who is in charge. The leader is always on the lookout for
danger. Elephants have no natural enemies, but hyenas and lions are classified as elephant predators.
They prey on young elephants when there is nothing else to eat. The entire herd protects the babies.
Everyone works together to keep them safe.

 
 
 Baby Elephants
A baby elephant is called a calf. On average calves range from being 3ft tall and weigh up to
264 lbs. Newborn male African elephants can weigh as much as 364 lbs. Within minutes calves are
able to stand on their own. Calves begin their journey with the herd in just two days.
Mother elephants and the rest of the herd are constantly teaching the new calves. They will learn
which plants are edible and how to reach them. Calves nurse for the first six months of life. Their tusks
begin to develop between four and six months. This allows them to pick grasses and leaves to help
supplement their diet.

 
 
 Elephants Endangered
Elephants are an endangered species. The greatest threats they face are poaching, habitat loss,
and conflict with humans. Elephants are poached for their ivory tusks. There are many wildlife
foundations around Africa and Asia to help orphaned elephants survive.
If a baby elephant is orphaned and does not get help they will die within days. Elephants are
loving animals, and without love and support they cannot survive. One organization in Africa is called
the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. These orphanages help calves grow and socialize so they can be
released back into the wild. All of the elephant orphans from this wildlife trust have created their own
herd. They are constantly welcoming new orphans every year.

 
 
 Summary
There are two types of elephants: African and
Asian. They are known for being the largest land
animals. Elephants are herbivores, which means
they only eat plants. Female elephants live
together in herds, while males live alone.
Elephants are an endangered species.

 
 
  
 
Questions
What do elephants use their trunks for?

How can you tell an African elephant from an

Asian elephant?

What do you call a baby elephant?

Why are elephants an endangered species?

 
 
 Glossary

Ivory: A hard creamy-white substance composing the main part of the tusks
of an elephant, walrus, or narwhal.
Example Sentence: Both male and female elephants have ivory tusks.

Habitat: A place in which an organism, plant, or animal lives.

Example Sentence: The Asian elephants’ habitat is a tropical forest.

Migrate: Move from one region or habitat to another regularly according to

the seasons.
Example Sentence: African elephants can migrate over 62 miles in a dry
season.

 
 
Herd: A large group of animals in the same species.
Example Sentence: Elephants live in herds.

Predator: An animal that naturally preys on others.

Example Sentence: Hyenas and lions are classified as elephant predators.

Endangered Species: A species of animal or plant that is seriously at risk

of extinction (dying out).
Example Sentence: Elephants are an endangered species.

Animal Poaching: Illegal hunting, killing, or capturing of wild animals.

Example Sentence: Elephants are poached for their ivory tusks.

Orphan: An animal/child whose parents have passed away.

Example Sentence: Wildlife foundations help save orphaned elephants.
 
 
 Common Core Standards
CCSS.ELS-Literacy.RI.3.2
Determine the main idea of a text; recount the key details and explain how
they support the main idea.

CCSS.ELS-Literacy.RI.3.4
Determine the meaning of general academic and domain specific words and
phrases in a text relevant to a grade 3 topic or subject area.

CCSS.ELS-Literacy.RI.3.5
Use text features and search tools (e.g., key words, sidebars, hyperlinks) to
locate information relevant to a given topic efficiently.

 
 
CCSS.ELS-Literacy.RI.3.7
Use information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs) and the
words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text (e.g., when, where,
why, and how key events occur).

 
 

 
 Works Referenced

African Elephant – National Geographic. 23 March. 2015

Elephants – SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment. 23 March. 2015

 
 
 Media Attributions

Page 4: Elephant Diagram is released under public domain.

All other images were taken by myself, Sarah Hodge.

 
 
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