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The '''elephants''' are three species of very large mammals belonging to the family  Elephantidae - the only extant family belonging to the order Proboscidea. The three elephant species currently recognized  by scientists are the African [[Bush]] Elephant, the African [[Forest]] Elephant (until recently known collectively as the African Elephant), and the Asian Elephant (also known as the Indian Elephant). A distinct giant [[India]]n forest elephant is also believed to exist by some. [http://www.blather.net/blather/1998/07/mammoth_hunt_the_giant_elephants_of_nepa.html]

The '''elephants''' are three species of very large mammals belonging to the family  Elephantidae - the only extant family belonging to the order Proboscidea. The three elephant species currently recognized  by scientists are the African [[Bush]] Elephant, the African [[Forest]] Elephant (until recently known collectively as the African Elephant), and the Asian Elephant (also known as the Indian Elephant). A distinct giant [[India]]n forest elephant is also believed to exist by some. [http://www.blather.net/blather/1998/07/mammoth_hunt_the_giant_elephants_of_nepa.html]

Elephants are the largest land animals alive today and have tripled in population over the last decade. Apart from their massive size their most striking features are a long trunk, or proboscis, a flexible nose strong enough to lift objects, their huge [[ivory]] tusks, and their large flapping ears, used to keep them cool.

Elephants are the largest land animals alive today. Apart from their massive size their most striking features are a long trunk, or proboscis, a flexible nose strong enough to lift objects, their huge [[ivory]] tusks, and their large flapping ears, used to keep them cool.

Bull elephants, when inclined to mate, enter a frenzied state called ''musth''; they fight with each other for possession of the cow elephants, and become a menace to everything in their path; many humans are killed at this time. Elephants' gestation period, at 22 months, is the longest of any land mammal. At birth it is common for an elephant calf to weigh 120 kg (265 lb). An elephant may live as long as 70 years, sometimes longer.

Bull elephants, when inclined to mate, enter a frenzied state called ''musth''; they fight with each other for possession of the cow elephants, and become a menace to everything in their path; many humans are killed at this time. Elephants' gestation period, at 22 months, is the longest of any land mammal. At birth it is common for an elephant calf to weigh 120 kg (265 lb). An elephant may live as long as 70 years, sometimes longer.