Do elephants have subspecies?
There are four recognized subspecies of Asian elephants, the Sri Lankan subspecies (Elephas maximus maximus) the mainland subspecies (Elephas maximus indicus), the Borneo subspecies (Elephas maximus borneensis), and the Sumatran subspecies (Elephas maximus sumatranus).
Are forest elephants a separate species?
Elephants dwelling in Africa’s lush tropical rain forests are genetically distinct from the better-known elephants that roam the continent’s grasslands and merit being classified as a separate species, scientists said on Thursday.
How many subspecies does the African elephant have?
two subspecies
There are two subspecies – the larger savannah elephant (Loxodonta africana africana), which roams grassy plains and woodlands, and the smaller forest elephant (Loxodonta africana cyclotis), which lives in the equatorial forests of central and western Africa.
What is the classification of an African elephant?
Loxodonta
African elephants/Scientific names
How many subspecies of elephants are there?
All elephants are mammals belonging to the elephantidae family. There are two subspecies of the African elephant: the savanna (or bush) elephant (Loxodonta africana) and the forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis).
Are African elephants on the endangered species list?
Not extinct
African bush elephant/Extinction status
Why has the African elephant been split into two species?
There are two distinct species of elephants in Africa, not one, according to new genetic evidence. Using nuclear DNA, the scientists determined that the African elephants most likely split into two distinct groups closer to 2.5 million to 5 million years ago. …
Why are African elephants a keystone species?
African elephants are keystone species, meaning they play a critical role in their ecosystem. Also known as “ecosystem engineers,” elephants shape their habitat in many ways. Their dung is full of seeds, helping plants spread across the environment—and it makes pretty good habitat for dung beetles too.
What are the 7 classification of elephant?
Elephant
| Elephants Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Proboscidea |
| Family: | Elephantidae |
What is the kingdom phylum class order family genus and species of a elephant?
African elephant
| African elephant Temporal range: Middle Pliocene-Present | |
|---|---|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Proboscidea |
Are there three species of elephants?
There are three different species of elephants: the African savanna, or bush, elephant, the African forest elephant, and the Asian elephant.
What are facts about African elephants?
Weighing up to 6000 kg (6.6 tons) and measuring up to 3.3 m (10 ft.) at the shoulder, the African elephant is the world’s largest land mammal. It is characterized by its highly dexterous trunk, long curved tusks, and massive ears.
What are threats to African elephant?
Today, the most urgent threat to elephants is large-scale poaching to supply the illegal ivory trade. Other threats facing elephants in Africa and Asia include conflict with humans and habitat loss and degradation.
Why are African elephants endangered?
Habitat Loss and Fragmentation. Humans are encroaching on elephants in Africa as well as Asia,but the pressure is especially severe for Asian elephants.
Do Elephants live in Africa?
Elephants live in just 2 continents in the world- Africa and Asia. African elephants are found in 36 African countries. 2 species of elephants live in Africa- Savanna Elephants (which live in grasslands, marshes and beside lakes) and Forest Elephants (which live in dense rainforests).