African bush elephants, Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

© Yva Momatiuk and John Eastcott/Minden Picture

Info. African bush elephants

African bush (or savanna) elephants are the largest species of elephant and the biggest land mammals in the world. Male African bush elephants can reach a shoulder height of almost four metres, with females slightly smaller. Some individuals grow to weigh more than six tonnes. They can live up to 70 years and have more than 40,000 muscles in their trunks – there are about 650 muscles in the human body. These majestic creatures can be found in many African countries, including here in Kenya at the Masai Mara National Reserve, where our photo was taken.