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Elephant
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| Setswana name | Tlou |
| Scientific name | Loxodonta africana |
| Male | tail 1.5m; shoulder height 3.2-4.0m; mass 5000-6300kg |
| Female | tail 1.5m: shoulder height 2.5-3.4m; mass 2 800-3500kg |
| Identification pointers | Massive size; long trunk; usually carries tusks; larger ears. Cannot be mistaken for any other species. |
Description: Apart from its size-it is the largest land mammal in the world- it is characterized by the long truck, large ears and the (normal) presence of tusks. The trunk is extremely mobile and is almost as efficient as the human hand. The large ears serve a display function but also assist in cooling the body. The backs of the ears are well supplied with blood vessels, and as the ears are flapped the blood is cooled. Elephants may also squirt water behind the ears to cool the blood. Tusks are characteristic of most elephants, although some individual and even populations may be tuskles. Elephant tusks continue to grow throughout life but because of continuous wear and breakages they never reach their potential length.
Habitat: Elephants have an extremely wide habitat tolerance as long as sufficient food, water and shade are available. They are widespread and common throughout the Caprivi and northern parts of Botswana especially Chobe (the largest elephant population in the world) extending south to the Aha Hills, in the western Okavango and the northern parts of Makgadikgadi, Tuli Block and Mmadinare. Small herds and individuals are seen in the mopane woodland on the eastern fringe of the Makgadikgadi and the Botetu river.
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Behaviour: They live in small family groups, each led by an elder cow, the matriarch. Each group consists of the matriarch and her offspring and may include other related cows with their young. A number of family groups may come together to form herds, not infrequently numbering several hundreds. The family group retains its identity during these gatherings and normally the smaller groups move off on their own.
These large congregations gather when food is abundant or at water, but there are no reproductive or social benefits. If left uncontrolled herds may destroy their habitat, not only for themselves but for other species as well, and population control may become essential. Adult bulls usually only join the family herds when cows are in breeding condition and have leave to join bachelor groups afterwards. A cow may mate with several bulls during estrus. Although the elephant is active both by night and by day, it usually rests in shade during the heat of the day. It is normally a peaceful animal but when wounded, sick, or in defense of a small calf it can be dangerous.
Food: A very wide variety of plants. Although not specialized feeders they do show a marked preference for certain species, for which they will travel long distances. During the rains, green grass forms a high percentage of their diet. An adult Elephant may eat as much as 300kg per day.
Reproduction: A single calf, weighing approximately 120kg, is dropped after a 22- month gestation period. Calves may be born at any time of the year but in some areas there is a peak in births that coincides with the rainy season. The calf is pinkish-grey and hairier than the adults. Cows are very protective of calves and should anything happen to a nursing mother another lactating female will usually take over the nursing of the orphan.
General: Elephants face a number of threats including poaching for the ivory markets and encroachment by humans on their traditional areas. When confined to limited areas by outside pressure they can inflict considerable damage on vegetation and it is for this reason that control programmes are sometimes essential.
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