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ELEPHANT FACTS

■ There are three distinct species of elephant: Asian, African forest, and African savanna (or Bush). In 2000, DNA evidence revealed that the African elephants are two distinct species.

■ African elephants live up to 70 years, longer than any mammal except humans. Asian elephants have shorter lifespans. Estimates vary, but consensus is 50 to 70 years.

■ Elephant mothers stay pregnant for 22 months, the longest gestation period of any mammal. Typically, elephants give birth to one calf at a time.

■ An elephant trunk has up to 40,000 muscles. Compare that to humans, who have 639 muscles in their entire body.

■ Elephants are either left- or right-tusked, and the dominant one is usually smaller due to wear and tear. One study showed slightly more righties than lefties.

■ Elephants have the largest brains of any land mammal, around three times bigger than the human brain.

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2023-05-18T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-05-18T07:00:00.0000000Z

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