Elephant families are led by an older female who remembers water holes and migration routes. Herds in Tarangire gather along the river in the dry season, in numbers that few other parks match. Tanzania has one of the largest elephant populations in Africa, but poaching in the past reduced numbers sharply.
Elephants
One of the Big Five
African Elephant
Loxodonta africana
The largest land animal on Earth, living in family herds led by a matriarch.
Size
Males up to 6,000 kg and 3.3 m at the shoulder
Lifespan
60-70 years
Diet
Grass, leaves, bark and fruit; up to 150 kg a day.
Habitat
Woodland, savannah, river valleys and forest.
About the african elephant
Did you know?
01
Elephants can recognise a herd member's call from more than a kilometre away.
02
Their tusks are elongated incisors that keep growing all their lives.
03
A pregnant elephant carries a calf for about 22 months.
When to see it
Gold months are usually the easiest time to find it.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Where to see it in Tanzania
Trips that go there
Where to meet the african elephant
More wildlife to discover
Big Five
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Panthera leo
The largest social cat, living in prides and ruling the Serengeti plains.
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Big Five
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Big cats
Leopard
Panthera pardus
A solitary, powerful climber that hides its kills in trees.
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Big Five
NT
Bovids
African Buffalo
Syncerus caffer
A heavy, dangerous grazer that lives in herds of hundreds.
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Big Five
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Rhinos
Black Rhinoceros
Diceros bicornis
A rare, shy browser and the most endangered of the Big Five.
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