Elephant feeding
Title | Info |
---|---|
Common name | Elephant, African |
Scientific name | Loxodonta africana |
Taxonomic group | Elephantidae |
Source | Dan L. Perlman |
Ecosystems | Grasslands, savannas |
Grasslands and savannas | Tropical savanna |
Ecological interactions | Herbivory; Ecosystem engineering |
Selection and adaptations | Selection |
Selection | Morphology |
Change over time | Disturbance |
Disturbance | Other |
Organisms | Animals |
Animals | Mammals |
Date | August 08, 2003 |
Location | Serengeti National Park,Tanzania,Africa |
Elephant feeding on tree, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. Elephants employ their marvelously adapted trunks to drink, bathe, pick up items, and feed. The trunk is essentially an elongated upper lip containing the nostrils. Using two small projections at the end of the trunk, and elephant can pick berries or rub eyes or it can use the entire trunk to lift massive logs. Less than a minute later this adult female pushed over the tree on which she was feeding, so that a youngster in her family group could feed on leaves that were out of reach. See the companion image to see the tree going over.