Elephants
General
They are typically a very gentle and peaceful animal. There are very few recorded attacks on humans - however because of their enormous size - caution is always recommended.
Facts
- They live on 2 continents - Africa and Asian,
- The largest land animal on the planet - up to 4 metres high at the shoulders, and weight up 12,000 kilograms,
- Puberty at 13-14 years of age,
- They have offspring until fifty years old and live to seventy,
- A cow produces a single calf per pregnancy - and rarely twins,
- The interval between births is 2-4 years,
- The trunk, a union of the nose and upper lip, is a highly sensitive organ with over 100,000 muscles,
- They cry, play, laugh, and have incredible memories.
Attacked
Elephants are very friendly animals. However their habitat is increasingly becoming occupied by humans, resulting in increased human-animal conflict.
If attacked, consider the following:
- Elephants might look big and slow - but they can run really really fast,
- Run in a zig-zag pattern - elephants find it difficult to pursue,
- Do not run uphill - they will easily catch up,
- Run downhill - they will abandon pursuit. It can’t maintain balance and fears toppling over,
- If the elephant is a zombie - there is no hope!
- If you are attacked in North America - you are in a zoo - call 911.
Reference: Elephant Information Repository
