The sexual
dimorphism is a condition that some species have when the two sexes show
different characteristics. In some animal species, these differences can be
very obvious (for example in Mandrills), being manifested by color, size,
presence of certain features like breasts, etc.
In the case
of African elephants, however, the sexual dimorphism is unfortunately not so
clear. Even sometimes for the most trained eyes it can be tough to tell the
gender. Even the genitals can be misleading as both penis and vulva hang
ventrally. Besides, the male´s testes are located in the abdominal cavity,
which makes the assumption even harder.
There are
cases when the sex is more than evident:
but If you
don´t get to see an elephant erect, here are some very general tips that will
help tell an African elephant´s gender apart.
Overall body shape: Males are more robust and in general
bigger than females.
Head: an adult male´s head (forehead) is
usually wider than an adult female´s.
Trunk: an adult male´s trunk is pretty thicker/wider
than a female´s, especially the base of the trunk.
Tusks: usually longer and thicker in males than in
females; a broken tusk might be as well the result of a fight between males.
Breasts: adult females have two breasts between their forelegs:
As a curiosity: again Can, our African forest elephant in the
Abidjan zoo, was thought to be a male for 20 years!!, until we saw her
urinating; when males urinate, the penis comes out and then you have a good
chance to claim the sex;
Can urinating:
male urinating:
Original video: ACP000ciji
Elephantvoices: https://www.elephantvoices.org/component/content/article/139-elephantvoices/education/807-how-to-sex-african-elephants.html
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