In this post we’ll get to know elephants, the largest land animal to walk our planet, a little bit better and uncover the largest elephant ever recorded.
Have you ever wondered how big an elephant can get? While elephants are known for their impressive size, there was one elephant that stood out among the rest – the “Giant of Angola,” the largest elephant ever recorded.
The African Elephant Species
African elephants are the largest land animal on earth. They can weigh up to 15,000 pounds (7,000 kg) and stand at a height of up to 13 feet (4 meters.) African elephants are further classified into two subspecies: the savanna elephant and the forest elephant.
Savanna elephants, also called bush elephants, are the largest of the two. They are found in grasslands and savannas across Africa. Forest elephants, on the other hand, are smaller and live in the dense forests of central and West Africa.
The Giant Of Angola (The Largest Elephant Ever Recorded)
In 1956, a group of hunters were on a safari in Angola when they came across an elephant unlike any they had ever seen before.
This elephant was so large that they could not believe their eyes. The hunters later shot the elephant and recorded its measurements. Two years later, in 1959, his skin was donated to a Natural History Museum in Washington – the Smithsonian Institute. He remains there to this day, and is one of the museum’s most popular attractions. (There are many other mammals that are impressive because of their size – but rather because of how small they are.)
Size and Weight
The Giant of Angola was a male elephant, and according to estimations he stood at an incredible height of 13 feet at the shoulder. This is taller than any other recorded elephant in history. His weight was estimated to be over 24,000 pounds, making him one of the heaviest elephants ever recorded as well.
Tusks
One of the most striking features of the Giant of Angola, or “Henry” as he’s also called, was his tusks. His tusks were over 11 feet long and weighed around 220 pounds each (which is more than double the weight of the tusks of a typical African elephant!) In other words, he is well deserving of the title of the largest elephant ever recorded.
Ears
Elephants have large ears that they use to regulate their body temperature, and the Giant of Angola was no exception. However, his ears were particularly large, even for an elephant. They measured over 6 feet in length – taller than the average human even.
Trunk
An elephant’s trunk is one of its most important features. The Giant of Angola had a an incredibly strong and dexterous trunk, reaching over 10 feet in length. Just like other African Elephants, he’d use it to uproot trees, carry heavy objects, and even pick up small objects like a coin.
Feet
Elephants have massive feet that are designed to support their enormous bodies. Giant of Angola naturally also had huge feet – they measured over 3 feet in diameter. They could support his massive weight and help him move through rough terrain with ease.
The Significance of the Elephant in African Culture
The African elephant has played a significant role in the culture and mythology of Africa. When they are featured in stories, they are often celebrated for their strength, intelligence and gentle nature.
In many African societies, the elephant is a symbol of power, wisdom, and longevity. Click here to find out about the many other fascinating species that exist of the diverse continent of Africa.
The Elephant as a Symbol of Power
Because of their massive and majestic size, elephants are naturally associated with power.
The Ashanti people of Ghana, for example, believe that elephants are messengers of the gods and in Zambia, the elephant is the national symbol and is featured on the country’s coat of arms.
The Elephant as a Symbol of Wisdom
The Shona people of Zimbabwe, believe that elephants are the wisest of all animals and have a deep spiritual connection with them.
The Elephant as a Symbol of Longevity
The elephant’s long lifespan has led many African cultures to view them as a symbol of longevity. In many African myths, the elephant is said to possess the secret of eternal life.
The Elephant in African Mythology
In some African myths, elephants are said to have supernatural powers, such as the ability to control the weather or to speak with the dead.
Conclusion
In my opinion, the African Elephant is truly the most majestic creature on the planet. Their size is definitely breathtaking, but I think we should be more impressed with them because of their almost human-like intelligence and emotional capabilities.
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