African Elephant

Today, I am going to talk about the African Elephant, its seven classifications,and its scientific name. Before I get started, let me tell you some facts about the African elephant.  The African Elephant is GIGANTIC.  It is the world's largest land animal.  They can grow up to 12 feet and weigh 650 pounds.  They eat all kinds of plants and they are found in Africa.  They are grey and have long trunks and tusks .

These are the seven classifications for the African Elephant.

 

Common Name: African Elephant

Domain: Eukaryota

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Proboscidea

Family: Elephantidae

Genus: Loxadonta

Species: africana

Scientific Name: Loxadonta africana

If you said "Hey what is a scientific name?" or "I never have heard these words, what are they?" Well you're going to find out the answer to your question.

  

A Scientific Name is how scientists classify living things, examples are: plants,animals, fungi, protist. The reason why they use scientific names is to avoid confusion among scientists who speak different languages.  To make a scientific name you have to first put the genus and then the species together.

The domain is Eukaryota.  The members of this domain all have cells with a nucleus that contains genetic material. The members include all animals, all plants, all fungi, all protist.  However, archae and bacteria do not belong to this kingdom.

   


The kingdom is Animalia.  All animals are members of the Kingdom Animalia. This Kingdom does not contain plants, bacteria, fungi and protist. All members of the Animalia Kingdom have many cells which have a nucleus inside a membrane.  These cells do not have cell walls. The animals, also rely directly or indirectly on other organisms for their food.


 

The Phylum is chordata.  These animals are vertebrates and invertebrates.  They have spinal and a post-anal tail.

The class is Mammalia.   Members of this class are vertebrates and mammals.  This means that they have a backbone and spinal column. All mammals are warm-blooded. Mammals do not have feathers but are covered with fur or hairy skin. Mammal bones are solid.  All female mammals have mammary glands which produce milk for their young.

The order is Proboscidea.  Which means extraordinary noses. It's a nose, it's a tool, no, it's an elephant's trunk! The order of Proboscideahas has been named after the organ which fascinates everyone who watch it; the proboscis, or nose.  Animals in this order are massive.




The family is Elephantidae. Animals in this family have five toes.  

The Genus is Loxodonta.  Animals in this Genus have enormous flapping ears and ivory tusks.                                                                                              

African Elephant

                                                                              

Asian Elephant

 

The species is africana. African Elephants live on the savannas or grasslands of Africa. They are herbivores, and feed on grasses, fruits, tree leaves, bark, shrubs, and vines.

     Grasslands
 Savanna

I chose the African elephant for this post because he is big and strong like me.  Also the elephant is the mascot of my favorite football team, the Alabama Crimson Tide.  Roll Tide !!!!!!