Thursday, April 7, 2005

   animal crulity
I think AC is wrong and I will do this every week till I have done all those on that site.here is the african elephant

+Scientific Name Loxodonta africana

Class: Mammalia

Sub-class:

Order: Proboscidae

Family: Elephantidae

Genus: Loxodonta

Species: africana

Description and Natural History



Physical Description
The African elephant is the largest land animal on the earth. Males and females are sexually dimorphic (a difference in size or physical characteristics between males and females) with males measuring about 3 meters (9.8 feet) at the shoulder, and weighing 5,000 - 6,000 kg (11,000 - 13,200 pounds). Females measure about 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) at the shoulder and weigh 3,000 - 3,500 kilograms (6,600 - 7,700 pounds).

Their thick gray or brownish-gray skin is scattered with bristles and sensory hairs. To protect the sensitive skin from sunburn and insect bites, elephants roll in dust and mud, or throw it on themselves with their trunks. The African elephant is larger than the Asian elephant and has larger, fan-like ears up to 1.5 meters (4.9 feet). African elephants also have a concave curvature along their backs, and both males and females grow tusks (elongated second upper incisors). Tusks grow throughout the lifetime of the animal and therefore are largest in old animals. Elephants use their tusks for food gathering and carrying, and as weapons.

Like the Asian elephant, the African elephant uses its trunk (elongation of the nose and upper lip) to smell, eat, communicate, manipulate objects, bathe and drink (although they do not drink through their trunks, they do suck water up and spray it into their mouths). African elephants have two finger-like projections on the end of the trunk (Asian elephants have one) which help to manipulate objects.

Dwarf African elephants inhabit the forest lowlands and interbreed with the larger form around the forest edge. Dwarfs are about 2.4 - 2.8 meters (7.9 - 9.2 feet) tall and weigh 1,800 - 3,200 kilograms (3,968 - 7,055 pounds). They have straight, downward-pointing tusks and ears that are more oval shaped.




Natural History
Historically, African elephants inhabited areas south of the Sahara, although they are now restricted to forest, bush and savanna in parks and preserves due to human encroachment and agricultural expansion. They live in complex migratory matriarchal herds of eight or ten to 15 related animals led by one dominant female (cow).

One calf (twins occur very rarely) is born every four to nine years after the longest gestation period of any mammal -- about 22 months. Calves weigh 79 - 113 kilograms (174 - 249 pounds) and can nurse from mammary glands between the mother's front legs a few hours later. Calves are weaned into their third year but remain dependent on their mothers until they are eight or ten years old.

Cows and female calves spend their entire lives together, whereas males leave the herd at puberty (12 - 14 years). Kin or bond groups are herds of related families that remain fairly close to one another and may come together to form clans of 200 or more animals for short periods.

Males (bulls) live alone or in small bachelor herds. Like the female herds, male dominance structure may also be complex. During the time when males are sexually active (called "musth") testosterone levels increase and the animals become aggressive. Secretions from the temporal glands near the eyes and dribbling urine down the legs is also evident.

Elephants have a sophisticated sense of smell and acute hearing. Recent research suggests that infrasound is used for long-distance communication. Their diet is made up of grass, shoots, tree buds, shrubs, bark, and fruit and vegetable crops, if encountered. They require 30 - 50 gallons of water per day. African elephants live between 60 and 70 years on average.

Status of the Species



Status
The African elephant is listed as Endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) and by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). It is listed on Appendix I of the Convention on the Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora except for populations in those countries (Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia) which were reclassified to Appendix II.




Threats to the Species
African elephants are threatened by poaching and habitat loss. Tusks have been used in jewelry, piano keys, hanko (the personalized signature seals required on official documents in Japan) and other items. Their hides and other parts are a minor component of trade; their meat is used by local people, and they are highly prized among big game hunters.

For many years, intense poaching of elephants for their ivory was a serious conservation problem, and many countries faced serious declines in elephant populations. Between 1979 and 1989, the species population was estimated to have dropped from 1.2 million to 600,000. An ivory ban was implemented in 1989 and with management and anti-poaching measures, populations in some countries rose.

However, the debate regarding the necessity and success of the ivory ban continues today. Some countries, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia, had been able to manage their elephant populations and claimed that increased populations were causing increased agricultural losses, decreased revenue from hunting and increased conflicts between elephants and local residents. This led to a proposal for the downlisting of African elephants from CITES Appendix I to Appendix II in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to allow for managed trade in elephants and elephant parts. The proposals were modified and accepted, allowing Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe to sell individually set amounts of ivory to Japan. Proponents of the plan say the money from the sale will help local people, wildlife programs and even national treasuries.

Critics say that any trade in ivory will lead to the resumption of poaching and the subsequent decline in elephant populations. As well, illegal trade of ivory can be disguised in the legal market.

Because elephants are confined to parks and refuges, some herds experience higher numbers than can be supported by the habitat within the restricted area. In the past, elephants have been culled or moved from areas of overgrazing, but the use of contraceptives is potentially an alternative for the future.

International Trade: Prime markets for ivory historically were Europe, North America, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and India. Today, legal trade occurs only with Japan.
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