African elephant (Loxodonta africana) - a species of mammal from the elephant family, the largest modern land animal. Previously recognized as a single species along with the forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis). A gregarious animal, it inhabits the African savannah, forests and steppes from the southern tip of the Sahara to Namibia, northern Botswana and the northern part of Africa. In ancient times they were used as fighting animals.
