Photo Credit to Cultural-China.com
The Asian Elephant
The Asian Elephant can be considered the cousin of the African Elephant. Though they both have many things in common such as there long trunk and herbivore eating habits, the two vary in many ways. The Asian elephant is mainly identified from the African Elephant by their slightly smaller and oval ears. Also, the Asian elephant is slightly smaller in size measuring 6.6-9.3 feet in height and 2.25-5.5 pounds in weight (National Geographic, n.d. Asian Elephants, Asian Elephant Pictures, Asian Elephant Facts ) These large creature have a life span of up to 60 years, slightly shorter than that of the African Elephant. (National Geographic, n.d Asian Elephants, Asian Elephant Pictures, Asian Elephant Facts ).
Another main difference between the two is their tusk, which are there "teeth". Though identical to that of the African elephant and Asian elephant's tusk are made of ivory, but female Asian elephants tend to have tusk that are smaller or do not exist at all. (National Geographic, n.d.). Males on the other hand tend to have the bigger tusks depending on regions where they are coming from. It is said that the percentage of male elephants that have ivory tusks varies depending on the region, it has been recording that 5% of Asian elephant near Sri Lanka have ivory tusk versus 90% of South India. (World Wildlife Fund, n.d Asian Elephant) This drastic difference in percentage is said to be caused by previous excessive poaching that has become inbreed into elephants which do to have tusks.
This breed of elephant is also an herbivore, eating mainly plants, fruits and grass. Both African and Asian elephants use their large ears to cool themselves off from hot temperature as well as using their trunks to smell, spray themselves with water to cool off, and pick up items to eat. (National Geographic, n.d. Asian Elephants, Asian Elephant Pictures, Asian Elephant Facts ). They also are herd animal, and travel in groups much like the African Elephant.
Another main difference between the two is their tusk, which are there "teeth". Though identical to that of the African elephant and Asian elephant's tusk are made of ivory, but female Asian elephants tend to have tusk that are smaller or do not exist at all. (National Geographic, n.d.). Males on the other hand tend to have the bigger tusks depending on regions where they are coming from. It is said that the percentage of male elephants that have ivory tusks varies depending on the region, it has been recording that 5% of Asian elephant near Sri Lanka have ivory tusk versus 90% of South India. (World Wildlife Fund, n.d Asian Elephant) This drastic difference in percentage is said to be caused by previous excessive poaching that has become inbreed into elephants which do to have tusks.
This breed of elephant is also an herbivore, eating mainly plants, fruits and grass. Both African and Asian elephants use their large ears to cool themselves off from hot temperature as well as using their trunks to smell, spray themselves with water to cool off, and pick up items to eat. (National Geographic, n.d. Asian Elephants, Asian Elephant Pictures, Asian Elephant Facts ). They also are herd animal, and travel in groups much like the African Elephant.
Endangerment of Asian Elephant
One of the main differences between the African and Asian elephant is their endangerment. The main cause of endangerment for African elephants is ivory poaching. Though as previously stated depending on the region which these elephants are found, ivory poaching may not be threating to them because many of these Asian elephants have very minimal ivory to offer if not any at all. But, even though they might now be poached always for their ivory, many of them are poached for their skin and meat to be used for trade, the making of good and food (World Wildlife Fund, n.d).
Another major reason why they have become endangered is civilian capturing them and using them for domestic labors. For example, cutting down trees, moving heavy load, war, and entertainment of locals. (World Wildlife, n.d). Nearly 30% of the Asian elephant population left is in captivity for domestic usage (National Geographic, n.d). Many of these Asian elephant are having their mortality rate increase because of the crude and harsh way these civilian are captivating these animals.
The last major reason for these animal become endangered is because of the human population growing so rapidly, especially in Asia these animals are become less limited to where they can live. 20% of the human population in Asia live in close proximity to that of the habitat of the Asian Elephant. Deforestation and the taking away of natural habitat for humans to live is leaving these animals homeless World Wildlife Fund, n.d). Though many countries are making the effort to create "park-like" habitats for these animals (PBS.org, 1997), they are not half as big in order to accommodate the elephant population. By these creature not having anywhere to live, they are slowly dying out or being killed by civilian who find them to be an inconvenience to their living space.
Another major reason why they have become endangered is civilian capturing them and using them for domestic labors. For example, cutting down trees, moving heavy load, war, and entertainment of locals. (World Wildlife, n.d). Nearly 30% of the Asian elephant population left is in captivity for domestic usage (National Geographic, n.d). Many of these Asian elephant are having their mortality rate increase because of the crude and harsh way these civilian are captivating these animals.
The last major reason for these animal become endangered is because of the human population growing so rapidly, especially in Asia these animals are become less limited to where they can live. 20% of the human population in Asia live in close proximity to that of the habitat of the Asian Elephant. Deforestation and the taking away of natural habitat for humans to live is leaving these animals homeless World Wildlife Fund, n.d). Though many countries are making the effort to create "park-like" habitats for these animals (PBS.org, 1997), they are not half as big in order to accommodate the elephant population. By these creature not having anywhere to live, they are slowly dying out or being killed by civilian who find them to be an inconvenience to their living space.