The African elephant is larger than the Asian elephant. Body length reaches 6-7,5 m in height at the shoulders up to 4 m, tail length, 1-1,3 meters Average weight females 3 t, male, 5 t (up to 7.5 tons). The highest point of the body region of the shoulders. The tusks are larger in males and significantly smaller in females up to 18 kg, the largest of the famous tusks grew to 3.5 m in length and weight 107 kg large Ears: from the bottom to the top, sometimes reaching up to 1.5 m At the end of the trunk has a dorsal and ventral processes. On the front limb hooves 5, rarely 4, on the rear - 3. The body color is brownish-grey.
Transverse plates dentin in each cheek tooth from 5 to 14 less than the Indian elephant. Ribs 21 pair - more than the Indian elephant. Caudal vertebrae is less than a maximum of 26.
Distributed throughout Africa South of the Sahara. However, almost continuous in the past the area currently broken. The African elephant is not found in most parts of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Ethiopia; completely disappeared from Northern Somalia! From Sudan to the West border of the area is now roughly equal to 12° n, however, some isolated areas of habitat remain and to the North (near the lake. Chad, Mali, Mauritania).
Inhabit a variety of landscapes (with the exception of deserts and semi-deserts) from sea level up to 3660 m above the sea level (in exceptional cases even up to 4570 m). Kept herds, which in former times was reached 400 animals. Feeds mainly on branches, stems, bark and roots of trees and shrubs. Reproduction with a particular season is not connected. Pregnancy lasts about 22 months. The female usually gives every 4 years one calf. The newborn weight about 100 kg, the height at the shoulders is about 1 meter Puberty begins at 12-20 years. The lifespan of 60-70 years.