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The African Savannah Elephant (Loxodonta africana) is the best-known and larger of the two African elephants. Both it and the Forest Elephant were previously classified as a single species, which was known simply as the African Elephant. It is also known as the Bush Elephant or African Bush Elephant.

The Savannah elephant can range from 6-7.3 m (20-24 ft) long and 3-4 m (10-13ft) high. At up to 10,000 kg (22,000 lbs) it is the largest land mammal in the world.

Relatively little scientific research has been carried out into elephants' cognitive or perceptualIn psychology and the cognitive sciences, perception is the process of acquiring, interpreting, selecting, and organizing sensory information. Methods of studying perception range from essentially biological or physiological approaches, through psychologi abilities. An exception is a recent report that African elephants are able to use seismic vibrations at infrasoundInfrasound is sound with a frequency too low to be detected by the human ear (less than approximately 20 hertz). Infrasound is characterized by an ability to cover long distances and get around obstacles with little dissipation. Whales and elephants are k frequencies for communication (Günther et al, 2004).

References

• Günther, R. H., O'Connell-Rodwell, C. E., & Klemperer, S. L. (2004). Seismic waves from elephant vocalizations: A possible communication mode? Geophysical Research Letters, 31, L11602.