Elephants, the largest living land animal, are also among the most intelligent, powerful, and gregarious creatures on the planet. The African elephant and the Asian elephant are the only two surviving species of the family Elephantidae. Elephants of the African subcontinent can be seen roaming the continent's savannas, woodlands, and even deserts. Males can grow to be 4 meters (13 feet) tall (at the shoulder) and up to 6 tons (12 tons) in weight, making them the heaviest and tallest land mammals in existence. The maximum height of a female is 2.5 meters (8 feet), and their maximum weight is 6,600 pounds. The trunks of Asian elephants have only one fingerlike extension, while those of African elephants have two. Asian elephants also have smaller ears. Elephants, both African and Asian, are herbivores that eat things like grasses, leaves, and fruits. Because of their gregarious nature, herds are groups of these animals. Male elephants prefer to be alone or in small groups, therefore females and their young make up the bulk of the herd. Large and powerful as they are, elephants are nonetheless susceptible to threats posed by humans, such as the destruction of their natural habitat and the illegal trade in their ivory tusks.
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