Elephants are the largest land animals on Earth! African elephants can be up to 13 feet tall at the shoulder. They have very thick, wrinkly skin that's usually gray or brownish-gray. They have a long, flexible trunk that they use like an arm. Elephants have large, floppy ears that help them stay cool. Many elephants have tusks, which are long teeth that grow out of their mouths. They have four thick, sturdy legs that look like tree trunks. Their feet are round and flat, with soft padding on the bottom. They have small eyes but can see well. Their big ears help them hear very well and cool their bodies. An elephant's trunk has over 40,000 muscles! It's strong enough to lift heavy logs and gentle enough to pick up a peanut. They can use their trunks to make loud trumpet sounds. Elephants show affection by touching each other with their trunks.

Elephants live in parts of Africa and Asia. African elephants live in savannas, forests, and deserts. Asian elephants prefer forests and grassy areas. They can live in hot climates and don't mind wet, rainy weather. Some elephants live in cooler mountain areas too. Elephants travel long distances to find food and water. They don't need special shelters but like to rest in shady areas during hot days.

Elephants are herbivores, which means they only eat plants. They love to eat grass, leaves, bark, fruits, and roots. An elephant can eat up to 300 pounds of food in a single day! They use their trunks to grab food and put it in their mouths. Elephants spend most of their day eating because they need so much food. They drink a lot of water, up to 50 gallons per day. 

Adult elephants don't have many predators, but young elephants might be attacked by lions or tigers.  Their large size scares away most predators. Elephants help their ecosystem by spreading plant seeds in their poop! Their trunks help them breathe, smell, drink, and grab things. Tusks help them dig for water and peel bark off trees. They can use their trunks and tusks to defend themselves if needed. Elephants are great swimmers and use their trunks as snorkels. They cover themselves with mud or dust to protect their skin from sun and insects. They live in family groups called herds, led by an older female elephant. Elephants are very smart and can remember things for a long time. They make low rumbling sounds that other elephants can hear from far away.