7/28/2019 06-02-06-031-s

1/3

Primary Leap Ltd. 2010

ame: Subject: Year 6 Literacy

Date: Unit: African elephant

06-02-06-031-s

Quick facts

Diet: Herbivore

Lie span in the wild: 70 years

Size: Height at the shoulder 2.5 - 4 m

Weight: 3200 - 6400 kg

Group name: Herd

Status: Endangered

Arican elephants (Loxodonta Aricana) are the largest land mammals on Earth and

among the most ancient. They measure more than 3 m high at the shoulder and can

weigh more than 5.4 tons (6400 kg). They use their 2 m long trunks or drinking,

smelling, breathing, trumpeting, grabbing things, and or greeting other members o

the herd.

In the wild, Arican elephants can live up to 70 years. They can be ound in therainorests o central and West Arica and throughout sub-Saharan Arica.

To help keep them cool in the blazing sun, elephants use their trunks to squirt water

over their bodies, ollowed by dust to help create a protective layer o dirt on their skin.

Despite the size o an elephants trunk it can be used to grab small items and pick a

single lea o a tree. There are about 100,000 dierent muscles in an elephants trunk.

Arican Elephant

7/28/2019 06-02-06-031-s

2/3

Primary Leap Ltd. 2010

ame: Subject: Year 6 Literacy

Date: Unit: African elephant

06-02-06-031-s

Score

Arican elephants eat grasses, leaves, ruit, roots, and bark. They travel long distances

while searching or large quantities o ood that they need to help support their massive

bodies. They hardly rest at all.

A herd is made up o emale elephants (cows) and their young (calves). Male elephants

(bulls) travel on their own.

Arican elephants are on the ofcial list o endangered species. They are threatened by

poaching and loss o habitat.

8

7/28/2019 06-02-06-031-s

3/3

Primary Leap Ltd. 2010

ame: Subject: Year 6 Literacy

Date: Unit: African elephant

06-02-06-031-s

Score

Answer the following questions:

1. Are elephants mammals or reptiles?

___________________________________________________________________

2. How long do elephants live or in the wild?

___________________________________________________________________

3. Name three things than an elephant uses its trunk or.

___________________________________________________________________

4. What are emale elephants called?

a Bears c Lambs

b Cows d Bulls

5. How many muscles are there in an elephant's trunk?

___________________________________________________________________

6. Do male elephants travel in a herd or on their own?

___________________________________________________________________

7. Why do elephants need to eat a lot?

___________________________________________________________________

8. Arican elephants are endangered. Give two reasons why this is.

___________________________________________________________________

8

Arican Elephant