African Bush Elephant

descriptions of communication

1. Loxodonta africana African bush elephant Dianna Hale UCA Spring 2018

2. Loxodonta africana African bush elephant Order: Proboscidea (elephants) Family: Elephantidae No close relatives in Arkansas A keystone species Range: central and southern Africa Habitat: savannahs, rain forests, woodlands ect . Many now live in protected sanctuaries Greatelephantcensus.com

3. Overview Description: Largest terrestrial organism 2,000-6,100 kg (female low-male high) Ivory tusks; muscular tusk; large ears Creased gray skin Polygynandrous mating system Females live in herds, males live in solitary Diet: Herbivorous, prefer grasses Chew on bark (fiber source); don ’ t consume it Will use trunks as necessary elephantvoices.org

4. Communication Acoustic Low frequency calls around 20 Hz Rumble is the most common call used for direction, greetings, and as a warning Musth -rumble used by males when ready to mate Estrous-rumbles used by females after mating Begging-rumble used by young to tell mother they are hungry Roar’s are used for intimidation, during play, to get attention Roaring-rumble; used to intimidate a predator elephantvoices.org

5. Communication Visual Ears Ear-slap- used by leaders in herd to draw attention to location or change direction Ear-spread-show aggression Trunks used to comfort others, especially juveniles Intertwine them during greetings elephantvoices.org

6. Communication Chemical Males mark their scents on trees or brushes Females have a scent in urine and in genital area when in heat Can smell food and predators from long distances away The elephants will point trunk in direction of scent elephantvoices.org

7. Infant care Female herd help’s in caring for young Teach young how to forage and use trunks Young are weaned at 4 months Will drink some milk up to 3 years Young stay close to mother until 4 years old Become independent at 8 years old Female helping young up slope: https:// www.arkive.org / african -elephant/ loxodonta-africana /video-09f.html

8. References: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Loxodonta_africana / http://www.greatelephantcensus.com/images-video / https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/05/what-elephant-calls-mean / https://blog.nationalgeographic.org/2013/04/24/elephants-communicate-in-sophisticated-sign-language-researchers-say / https:// www.elephantvoices.org/elephant-communication.html https://www.arkive.org/african-elephant/loxodonta-africana /