They say that somewhere in Africa the elephants have a secret grave where they go to lie down, unburden their wrinkled gray bodies, and soar away, light spirits at the end.

Elephants are the largest land animals on Earth, known for their remarkable size, intelligence, and social behavior. They belong to the family Elephantidae and are divided into two species: the African elephant and the Asian elephant. This chapter is about the African bush elephant. Elephants have distinct features, including their long trunks, large ears, and elongated tusks, which are present in both male and female African elephants and some male Asian elephants. They inhabit diverse habitats, from savannahs and grasslands to forests and marshes. Unfortunately, elephants face numerous threats, including habitat loss, poaching for ivory, and human-wildlife conflicts, making conservation efforts vital for their survival.

It is a social mammal, traveling in herds comprising of cows and their offspring. Adult bulls usually live alone or in small bachelor groups. It is a herbivore, feeding on grasses, creepers, herbs, leaves, and bark. The menstrual cycle lasts three to four months, and females are pregnant for 22 months, the longest gestation period of any mammal. They are highly intelligent and have a very large and highly convoluted neocortex, a trait they share with humans, apes, and some dolphin species. They are amongst the world’s most intelligent species. The elephant’s brain is larger than that of any other terrestrial animal, weighing in just over 11 lb. The elephant’s brain is similar to a human brain in terms of structure and complexity; the elephant’s cortex has as many neurons as that of a human brain, suggesting convergent evolution.

The earliest ancestors of elephants can be traced back to small, pig-sized mammals called Moeritherium, which lived around 55 million years ago. While the fossil record of elephant evolution reveals a rich diversity of species that once roamed the Earth, today only two species of elephants survive: the African elephant and the Asian elephant. A male elephant is called a bull while a female is called a cow

Elephants are often associated with wisdom, intelligence, and knowledge. Their remarkable memory and problem-solving abilities have led them to be seen as wise and insightful creatures in many cultures. In some traditions, elephants are believed to possess spiritual wisdom and are revered as sacred beings. They play a significant role in religious and cultural ceremonies in various regions. In festivals and processions, elephants are adorned with elaborate decorations and carry religious idols or important figures. They are regarded as auspicious animals and are believed to bring good fortune and blessings

All the photos and text in this post are copyright of Keaton Lamos ,Vadodara, Gujarat, Creative Hut Institute of Photography.Their reproduction, full or part, is forbidden without the explicit approval of the rightful owners.