Instructions
Read the paragraph about elephants. Then, use the information to complete the activities that follow. Good luck!
All About Elephants
Elephants are the largest land animals on Earth! There are two main types: the African elephant and the Asian elephant. You can often tell them apart by their ears. African elephants have very large ears shaped like the continent of Africa, while Asian elephants have smaller, rounded ears.
These amazing animals are herbivores, which means they only eat plants. They spend most of their day eating grass, leaves, bark, and fruit. An elephant's most famous feature is its long trunk. A trunk is not just a big nose; it's used for breathing, smelling, drinking water, and picking up objects. It has over 40,000 muscles!
Elephants live in family groups called herds. These herds are led by the oldest and wisest female, known as the matriarch. The matriarch leads her family to find food and water and protects them from danger. Many elephants have long, curved teeth called tusks, which they use to dig for roots or water and to defend themselves.
Activity 1: Elephant Facts
Answer the questions below based on what you just read.
- What is the name for the female leader of an elephant herd?
- Which type of elephant has larger ears?
- An animal that only eats plants is called a...
- Name two things an elephant uses its trunk for.
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______________________ and ______________________
Activity 2: Word Match
Draw a line to match the word on the left with its correct meaning on the right.
- Herd
- Tusks
- Herbivore
- Matriarch
An animal that only eats plants.
A large group of elephants living together.
The female leader of the herd.
Long, pointed teeth that grow outside the mouth.
Activity 3: Fun Fact Scramble
Unscramble the words below to reveal a surprising fact about elephants!
nac • ocmmuenitac • selephant • snigU • wlo • dsnuso
Hint: The sounds are too low for humans to hear!
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Activity 4: Creative Corner
In the space below, draw a picture of an elephant. Will it be an African elephant with large ears or an Asian elephant with smaller ears? Be sure to include its habitat!
Answer Key
Activity 1: Elephant Facts
- The female leader of an elephant herd is called a matriarch.
- The African elephant has larger ears.
- An animal that only eats plants is called a herbivore.
- Any two of the following: breathing, smelling, drinking, picking up objects.
Activity 2: Word Match
- Herd → A large group of elephants living together.
- Tusks → Long, pointed teeth that grow outside the mouth.
- Herbivore → An animal that only eats plants.
- Matriarch → The female leader of the herd.
Activity 3: Fun Fact Scramble
Elephants can communicate using low sounds.