Our realistic African Elephant would make a wonderful party favor for those summer birthdays!

Until recently, it was believed that there were only two species of elephant - African and Asian (Elephas maximus). However, in 2004, DNA evidence proved that there are actually two true species of African elephant - African savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana) and African forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis). African savannah elephants are the largest elephant, African forest elephants are slightly smaller and Asian elephants are the smallest elephant. African elephants have larger ears than the Asian elephant. In the African species, both the male and female elephants have large visible tusks. In the Asian species only the males have large visible tusks. The females have small tusks called tushes that are not usually visible. African elephants only have one dome on the top of their head, and the flat forehead is slightly sloped. The Asian elephant has two distinct domes at the top of its head. There is a projection on the end of the elephant's trunk that is referred to as a "finger." African elephants have two "fingers" on the end of their trunk, and will use a grasping motion when picking things up. (This is much like the way we use our thumb and forefinger.) The Asian elephant has only one "finger," so it has to curl the end of its trunk around anything it wants to pick up. All three elephant species are endangered because of poachers who hunt them for their tusks.

Come check out this small plastic African elephant on our online gift shop. Nicely detailed for a small item, this African elephant toy animal is made of solid white plastic with the color painted on. It measures 2 1/2 inches tall to the tip of the trunk. This plastic animal toy is great for school projects, toys, novelties, animal collections, party favors and more. Our plastic elephant is for decoration or play only. You can make an outstanding African wildlife shoebox diorama using this and other plastic creatures from our gift shop. Best of all, there is no mess, no feeding, and no tank or cage cleaning :) Check out our terrific selection of African elephant toys and gifts.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.