African elephants are the largest animals on Earth. Their herds wander through 37 countries in Africa. They are easily recognized by their trunk, which is used for communication and handling objects. Their large ears allow them to radiate excess heat.
Here is one at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro.
African Elephant
Named for the striking golden plumage on their heads, these beautiful cranes at Ark Encounter are the national bird of Uganda. African crowned cranes have an impressive six-foot wingspan and are one of only two crane species capable of perching in trees since they possess long hind toes.
African Crowned Crane at the Ark
The Asiatic lion, a subspecies that split from African lions around 100,000 years ago, once prowled across Asia and the Middle East. Since the turn of the 20th century, its range has been restricted to Gir National Park and the surrounding areas in the Indian state of Gujarat. Asiatic lions are slightly smaller than African lions. Male lions are not as sociable as females, joining the pride mainly for mating and on a large kill. Although hunting takes cooperation, adult males don’t tend to take part in it.
The discernible difference between Asiatic Lions and their African cousins is the shorter and sparser mane in male lions. Asiatic Lions also have a longitudinal fold of skin running along the abdomen, rarely seen in African lions. Here is an Asiatic lion strolling in Gir National Park, Gujarat, India
