Briefmarken des Themas Elefanten

Elephants are the largest land animals. There are three known species of elephants: the African bush elephant, the African forest elephant and the Indian elephant. The average age of an elephant is 50 to 70 years. The gestation period is 22 months, the longest of any land animal. At birth it is common for an elephant calf to weigh 120 kilograms.

Elephants are herbivores, their teeth adapted for cutting and tearing off plant materials. Healthy adult elephants have no natural predators, although lions may take calves or weak individuals. They are, however, threatened by human intrusion and poaching. Elephants are a symbol of wisdom in Asian cultures and are famed for their intelligence and memory.