The African elephant is the largest mammal that lives on land.
Males can be up to four metres tall (0)___C___ . They have extra-large ears that they flap when (1) . Unlike their Asian cousins, both male and female African elephants have tusks.

These intelligent creatures talk to one another (2) - so low, in fact, that we can't even hear them. It's as if they had their own built-in mobile phones! This explains why two elephants can act as one, even if (3) . Elephants also make sort of rumbling sound while digesting their food. If they are in danger they turn this sound off (4) .

Elephant trunks are the Swiss army knives of the animal kingdom, which act as a combined trumpet, water pistol, siphon, shower and feeding tool. They are strong enough (5) , yet delicate enough to pick up a berry. Elephants use their trunks to feed with, and their vegetarian diet consists of plants, shoots, twigs, leaves and fruit.

African elephants live in close groups of around 10 females and their calves. Females give birth to a single calf every two to four years. Elephants form close family bonds, and protect any younger (6) . When the males (bulls) are about 12 years old they leave the group (7) . Then they form their own groups or wander on their own.

People sometimes say that elephants never forget, and it's true that older elephants will show the younger ones (8) . This sort of knowledge is vital because an African elephant can drink as much as 50 gallons of water a day.