Two Zoo Indian Elephants with a very small calf

LIVE ELEPHANT WEBCAM AT THE SMITHSONIAN ZOO

Local Time
Location: Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Washington, DC
Source: wwwnationalzoo.si.edu
Info: Live streaming elephant webcam at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington.
To view elephants in the wild in Africa, visit the Tembe Elephant Park webpage.

More info: The visible differences between African and Asian elephants include the facts that the Asian elephant is smaller and has smaller more rounded ears. The Asian elephant has less rings on its trunk and only the male has tusks. The Asian elephant is distributed throughout the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, from India in the west, Nepal in the north, Sumatra in the south, and to Borneo in the east.

Unlike other mammals, where the legs are in an angular position, the elephant's legs are stacked in an almost vertical position under the body. This positioning, along with the detailed anatomy of their long bones, provides a strong support for the animal's great weight. The vertical position of the limbs allows the elephant to remain standing for long periods without expending much energy. It also allows elephants to sleep while standing, as well as while lying down.

Elephants actually walk on their toes and have a thick, fibrous pad on the bottom of each foot. This pad acts as a shock absorber, protecting the leg and toe bones from jarring under its weight and cushioning each step.