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The Indian Elephant is up to 6.4 metres (21 feet) long; it is taller and thinner than the Asian elephant found in Thailand. The largest Indian Elephant was 27ft (7.88m) long, stood 11ft, 9in (3.61m) at the arch of the back, and weighed 8 tons (17935 lbs). <ref>[http://www.honoluluzoo.org/indian_elephant.htm Honolulu Zoo Indian Elephant]</ref> Indian elephants look similar to [[African elephants]] but they have smaller ears and shorter [[tusks]]. They are also the only [[elephant]] to be used by [[humans]].{{Fact|date=April 2007}}. |
The Indian Elephant is up to 6.4 metres (21 feet) long; it is taller and thinner than the Asian elephant found in Thailand. The largest Indian Elephant was 27ft (7.88m) long, stood 11ft, 9in (3.61m) at the arch of the back, and weighed 8 tons (17935 lbs). <ref>[http://www.honoluluzoo.org/indian_elephant.htm Honolulu Zoo Indian Elephant]</ref> Indian elephants look similar to [[African elephants]] but they have smaller ears and shorter [[tusks]]. They are also the only [[elephant]] to be used by [[humans]].{{Fact|date=April 2007}}. |
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== Population & Endangerment == |
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The WWF considers the Indian Elephant widely distributed, but endangered. The current population of the Indian Elephant is in the range of 20,000-25,000<ref>http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/species/about_species/species_factsheets/elephants/asian_elephants/indian_elephant/index.cfm</ref>. The Indian Elephant was assessed as an endangered species in 1996 by the Asian Elephant Specialist Group. <ref>[http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/7140/all]</ref> Indian Elephants are threatened by poaching for the ivory of their tusks, by the loss of habitat due to human pressure on forested areas and due to human conflict. The isolated populations of wild elephants in individual wildlife sanctuaries are also threatened by loss of genetic diversity. Recently a number of corridors connecting wildlife sanctuaries have been established to encourage the migration of wild elephants.<ref>http://www.india-wildlife-tours.com/wild-animals-in-india/indian-wildlife-indian-elephant.html</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 06:46, 6 May 2008
The Indian Elephant, Elephas maximus indicus, is one of 19 subspecies of the Asian Elephant, the largest population of which is found in India. This subspecies is also found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Laos, Peninsular Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The other three subspecies of the Asian Elephant are the Sumatran Elephant (E. m. sumatranus), Sri Lankan Elephant (E. m. maximus)[1] and Borneo Elephant (E. m. borneensis).
Physical characteristics
The Indian Elephant is up to 6.4 metres (21 feet) long; it is taller and thinner than the Asian elephant found in Thailand. The largest Indian Elephant was 27ft (7.88m) long, stood 11ft, 9in (3.61m) at the arch of the back, and weighed 8 tons (17935 lbs). [2] Indian elephants look similar to African elephants but they have smaller ears and shorter tusks. They are also the only elephant to be used by humans.[citation needed].
See also
References
- Shoshani J, Eisenberg JF (1982) Elephas maximus. Mammalian Species 182: 1–8. Full text
- Animal Diversity. Elephas maximus.
- Honolulu Zoo Indian Elephant