African Elephant Skeletal System

1476 Words3 Pages

The skeletal system is known to be a collection of bones, cartilage, and other connective tissues and is mainly used to provide support, movement, and protection to the body. In the case of the White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) and the African Elephant (Loxodonta africana), this skeletal system is important in providing support for the heavy body of each animal, as well as providing adequate movement and protection. This review will provide background information on the White Rhinoceros and the African Elephant, compare the skeletal systems of the White Rhinoceros and the African Elephant, and also address the presence of their horns/tusks as a part of the skeletal system or not. The issue of poaching of the animals’ horns and tusks …show more content…

Compared to other graviportal mammals, such as elephants, hippopotamuses, and rhinoceroses, the limbs of the rhinoceros are considerably shorter. This may be a result of the rhinoceros’s ability to charge at another animal, as the shorter limbs allow for better balance, and it takes more effort to topple a White Rhinoceros over (Alexander & Pond, 1991). In addition, due to the large size of the rhinoceros, its feet are commonly affected by diseases and infections, particularly those that affect the soft connective tissue and hoof. Left untreated, the infection or disease could be allowed to spread to other areas of the skeletal system and connective tissues, possibly resulting in severe illness or possible death of the animal (Dudley, et. al, 2014). Apart from the short limbs, another trademark of the rhinoceros compared to other mammals with similar skeletal systems as a result of their graviportal bodies is the presence of the horn on its snout. Contrary to common belief, the horn of a White Rhinoceros is not, in fact, a bone; this body structure is made of keratin, which is the same protein that makes up the hairs on humans. Therefore, the horn of the White Rhinoceros is not a part of the skeleton, but technically a part …show more content…

Improvements in technology allowed for DNA tests to be conducted on illegally poached wildlife products, which can help experts determine the geographic origin of that product, and then attempt to decrease poaching rates in that area (Wasser, et. al, 2008). As of today, approximately 27,000 elephants in the African Elephant genus (either African Bush Elephants or African Forest Elephants) are slaughtered every year by individuals seeking the ivory from the tusks (Criminol,

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1738 Words | 4 Pages
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726 Words | 2 Pages
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1357 Words | 3 Pages
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African Elephant Skeletal System

Analysis Of Barbara Gowdy's White Bone

Jungle Of Bones Analysis

A Mule Bone Analysis

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Big Game Hunting Should Be Allowed

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