The LARGEST existing land animal. Three species: African bush, African forest, Asian

You can tell them apart by looking at their ears African elephant ears are much larger and are described as looking like the shape of the African continent. Asian elephant ears look more like the Indian subcontinent. There’s also a trunk difference - African elephants have two ‘fingers’ at the tip of their trunks, whereas Asian elephants have one.

Could be the most sensitive organ found in any mammal - pick up a peanut, shell it, blow the shell away Use their trunks to drink water - up to 8 litres at a time. Use their trunks as a snorkel when they swim.

First appear at 2 years old Help with feeding / fighting

Status symbol for millennia 19th-20th century demand for ivory piano keys, billiard balls, and luxury items 1980s conservation groups China banned ivory in 2017

The elephant's temporal lobe (the area of the brain associated with memory) is larger and denser than that of people.

Something expensive and extravagant, but ultimately useless. Eg. Unprofitable building project.

A metaphor for an obvious problem that nobody wants to talk about.