Read this information about elephants. Think about the meanings of the words in bold type.
Who is the “King of the Jungle?” You probably think it’s a lion. The big cat certainly looks kingly. Other animals are afraid of it—and with good reason. Lions are great hunters. However, there is one animal that even a lion fears. That animal is the elephant. The elephant fears nothing.
Long ago there were about 350 kinds, or species, of elephants. They lived on every continent. Now only two kinds of elephants are left—the African elephant and the Asian, or Indian, elephant. The African elephant is the largest animal that lives on land. From trunk to tail, it is 25 feet (8 meters) long. It stands 13 feet (4 meters) high at the shoulders. It weighs more than 8 tons (8 metric tons). The Asian elephant is smaller. It is about 20 feet (6 meters) long and stands 10 feet (3 meters) high. It weighs “only” about 5 tons (5 metric tons).
WORKSHEET & Sample PDF Activity
Sample PDF Activity
Big animals have big appetites. In the wild, an adult eats from 400 to 600 pounds (180 kg to 270 kg) of food every day. It drinks about 40 gallons (150 liters) of water. It sucks up the water with its trunk. Then it squirts the water into its mouth.
Having a big trunk, or nose, is good for other reasons. An elephant has a very good sense of smell. Using its trunk and tusks, the animal can lift heavy loads. It can take the branches and bark off trees. It can even pull the tree out of the ground, roots and all. Finally, it can use its trunk to make a trumpet sound.
TA-DAHHHH! Imagine hearing that sound in the jungle. No wonder other animals dash off. Even a lion will sneak away into the bush.
Jungle Safari
Label the drawing with the correct vocabulary words.
Also…
Imagine that an elephant and a lion could talk to one another. What would they say? Write a conversation between an elephant and a lion. Use the words fears, appetites, weighs, and sense in your sentences.
