Proboscidea By

Ciera Kinley

Bio. 335 01

Proboscidea• Contains one living family

(Elephantidae) and several extinct families

• Order dates back to 55-60 MYA, with first member being the Moeritheres

• Currently: - 1 family - 3 species - 4 subspecies

Elephantidae• Trunks are actually long noses,

used for breathing, smelling, drinking, and grabbing things

• Trunk alone contains about 100,000 muscles

• Eat roots, grasses, fruit, and bark

• Rarely sleep, but roam great distances

Elephantidae ( (cont’d.).)• Females travel in

large herds with young, while males usually roam alone

• Pregnancies last for about 22 months

• Calves stay under protection of mothers for much longer than most mammals

Elephas maximusAsian Elephant

Elephas maximus• Identified by

their smaller, rounder ears

• Live up to 60 years

• Only males have tusks

• Reach sexual maturity at 9-15 years of age

Range: Southeast Asia

Asian Elephant Subspecies

Indian ElephantElephas maximus indicus

Sri Lankan ElephantElephas maximus

maximus

Sumatran ElephantElephas maximus sumatrensis

Borneo ElephantElephas maximus borneensis

Loxodonta African Elephants

Loxodonta • Large ears radiate

heat to keep them cool

• Tusks used to dig for food and water, and to strip bark off of trees

• Live up to 70 years

Loxodonta cyclontisAfrican Forest Elephant

• Smaller of African elephants

• Thin, straight tusks• Smoother skin• Found in forests of

Republic of Congo

Loxodonta africanaAfrican Savannah Elephant

• Largest land mammal

• Bigger, curved tusks• Larger home range• Found in savannah

zones of south Africa

Referenceshttp://www.wcs.org/saving-wildlife/elephants/african-forest-elephant.aspx

http://www.wcs.org/saving-wildlife/elephants/savannah-elephant.aspx

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/african-elephant/

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/mammal/mesaxonia/proboscidea.html

http://elephant.elehost.com/About_Elephants/Stories/Evolution/evolution.html