Species profile
About the african savanna elephant
The African savanna elephant is the world’s largest land animal. Its feeding, digging and long-distance movement continually remodel Tanzania’s landscapes, dispersing seeds and opening dense vegetation for other wildlife.
Tarangire is especially celebrated for close, unhurried elephant encounters and large family herds. Southern Tanzania supports important populations across the connected Nyerere–Selous–Mikumi and Ruaha–Rungwa landscapes.
Life in the wild
Behavior & relationships
Behavior
Intelligent, highly communicative and mobile. Elephants feed for much of the day, bathe, dust themselves and may travel far between seasonal food and water.
Social life
Family groups are led by experienced matriarchs and usually contain related females and young. Adult bulls often range alone or in loose male associations.
What makes it remarkable
Special features
The trunk combines smell, touch, drinking, feeding and communication. Seismic and low-frequency calls help elephants communicate over long distances.
