Elephant close-up by Bert Hooijer

About "Elephant close-up"

by Bert Hooijer

About the artwork

Elephants are large mammals in the family Elephantidae within the order of trunks (Proboscidea). Traditionally, two species are recognized, the African elephant (Loxodonta africana) and the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus). DNA studies have determined that African elephants consist of two separate species, the savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana) and the forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis), respectively.

Elephants are distributed in sub-Saharan Africa and southern and southeastern Asia. They are the only surviving species of trunked animals; extinct species include the mammoths and mastodons. Elephants are the largest living land animals. Male African elephants can reach a height of 4 m and a mass of 7000 kg. These animals have several distinctive features, such as a trunk that is used for many purposes, especially for grasping objects. Their incisors grow into tusks and serve as tools for moving objects, digging and as weapons during fights. The elephant's large ear flaps are used to control the temperature of the body. African elephants have larger ears and a concave back, while Asian elephants have smaller ears a convex or straight back.

Poachers shoot the elephants for the ivory from their tusks. Ivory trade is one of the main threats to wild elephant populations. Because of their unmistakable appearance and intelligent behavior, elephants play a role in art, religion, mythology and popular culture.