Animal Guide

South African Elephant

16 destinations · 14 states

Native Range: Southern Africa

South African elephants are African savanna elephants, and watching them up close quickly shifts attention from sheer size to what they can do with their trunks. An elephant may tear branches apart, gather grass, spray water across its back, or carefully pick up a small piece of food with the finger-like tips of its trunk. Huge ears regularly fan outward, helping release heat while also making changes in posture easy to notice. Herd interactions are often quieter but just as rewarding to watch. Adults touch and smell one another, youngsters stay close to relatives, and calves sometimes struggle amusingly to control trunks that take time to master. Mud and dust baths help protect elephant skin from sun and insects, so a freshly coated animal can look completely different from one seen moments earlier. In southern Africa's savannas and woodlands, these elephants may travel long distances for food and water, making their sturdy legs and constant foraging essential parts of daily life.

South African Elephant

Where to see South African Elephant

16 destinations across 14 states

16 destinations

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Colorado Springs, CO

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Cleveland, OH

Dallas Zoo

Dallas, TX

Indianapolis Zoo

Indianapolis, IN

Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens

Jacksonville, FL

Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium

Kansas City, MO

Louisville Zoo

Louisville, KY

Memphis Zoo

Memphis, TN

North Carolina Zoo

Asheboro, NC

Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium

Pittsburgh, PA

Roger Williams Park Zoo

Providence, RI

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Escondido, CA

Seneca Park Zoo

Rochester, NY

The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore

Baltimore, MD

Toledo Zoo & Aquarium

Toledo, OH

ZooTampa at Lowry Park

Tampa, FL

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