1. African vs Asian
There are believed to be three distinct species of elephants left in the world today. Two of these three are found in Africa – the forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) and the savanna elephant (Loxodonta Africana). The third is found primarily in India and is called the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus, pictured).
2. Elephants are big, really big
The African savanna elephant is the largest extant land mammal in the world. Bull (male) elephants can weigh up to 8.8 tons (8,000 kilograms) and stand nearly 10 feet (three meters) tall at the shoulder. Their Asian cousins aren’t far off the mark – adult males can weigh six tons (5,500 kilograms) and stand nine feet (2.75 meters) tall.
3. Longest gestation period
Elephant mothers carry their babies in the womb for nearly 660 days, or roughly 95 weeks – the longest gestation period among all mammals; others that come close are rhinos (450 days), giraffes (400-460 days) and camels (410 days). Baby African elephants can weigh between 200-300 pounds (90.7-136 kilograms) at birth.
4. They have enormous brains...
Unsurprisingly, the world’s largest land mammal has the world’s largest brain – they usually weigh up to 12 pounds (5.4 kilograms). At birth, the brain is only 35 percent of its full size, indicating a vast potential to learn and adapt. The sheer size and complexity of the brain manifests itself in many ways, including the ability to recognize different human languages, according to researchers from the University of Sussex in England.
5. and elephants never forget!
Enormous brains mean elephants have exceptional memories. Herds travel large distances in search of food and mates and individual members often remember specific locations. Individual elephants also build and maintain relationships with others, sometimes remembering friends they may have met years ago. More incredibly, all this knowledge is passed down from generation to generation.
6. Mother knows best
Elephant herds are led by matriarchs – the oldest female member. Typically, herds consist of the matriarch, her sisters and the children. Male elephants leave the herd around the time they hit puberty (between 12 and 15 years of age in the wild) and usually live solitary lives, meeting with herds only during mating season.
7. . they also produce a lot of gas
Did you know elephants are non-ruminant herbivores? This means that unlike cows or goats or deer, they don’t chew cud. Instead, they produce methane gas – a lot of methane gas! They also produce 220 to 250 pounds (100 to 114 kilograms) of fecal matter every day!
8. Long eyelashes
Elephants are among those animals that have long eyelashes. An elephant’s eyelash can be five inches (12.7 centimeters) long and it helps keep the eye safe from dust and foreign particles.
9. They do get scared... but not of mice
Amazingly, elephants are afraid of bees! According to researchers from the University of Sussex, they have alarm calls reserved for the spotting of bees or their hives.
10. Lefty elephants?
Interestingly, just like human beings, elephants can be left- or right-handed; technically, that’s left- or right-tusked. Individual elephants have been known to prefer one tusk over the other when fighting or digging.

one of my best in the wild.
very unique in so many ways.

Good

Nice.
But what does the meat tastes like?