The Sudan African Elephant, (Elephas oxyotis, Matschie), is the largest of the four species of African elephants now recognized. The other species are the South African Elephant, (E. capensis), the German-East-African Elephant, (E. knochenhaueri), and the West African Elephant, (E. cyclotis).
After some years of waiting, and many futile efforts, we have at last come into possession of a pair of young Sudan Elephants, representing, so we believe, the great species to which belonged Jumbo, and also the bearer of the enormous tusks presented to the Zoological Society by Mr. Charles T. Barney. Like all elephants newly arrived from Africa, they are young, and small; but if they have good health they will grow very rapidly, and about A. D. 1927 they should attain full stature,—11 feet at the shoulders for the male, or thereabouts.
AFRICAN ELEPHANTS.
The different species of elephants are most easily recognized by their ears. Compare the enormous “sail-area” of the ears of this species with the small, triangular ear of the Indian elephant, and the small, round ear of the next species.
The West African Elephant, (Elephas cyclotis), of equatorial West Africa, especially the Congo country, is apparently a small species, not exceeding seven feet in height, even if that height is ever attained. Mr. Carl Hagenbeck reports that out of nearly 300 pairs of tusks of this species examined by him in the German ivory market, not one pair exceeded two feet in length, and many measured only 10 inches.
On July 25, 1905, we received a male specimen representing this species, as a gift from Mr. Barney. It is strikingly marked by its small round ears, and the presence of 5 toes on each fore-foot and 4 on the hind foot, the number in the East African species being 4 and 3, respectively. At the time of its arrival, little “Congo” stood 43 inches in shoulder height, his weight was precisely 600 pounds, and his tusks were 4 inches long. On June 1, 1911, his shoulder height was 60 inches, and his weight was 1650 pounds, and his tusks were 23 inches long.
AFRICAN TWO-HORNED RHINOCEROS.
Regarding the life history and distribution of this odd species, much remains to be ascertained; and precise information is greatly desired.