True to their name, African savanna elephants spend their lives roaming across the savannas. Because elephants are so large and have a diet that consists of grass, roots, bark and fruit, they must constantly be moving and foraging to consume enough food to sustain their size. They will typically sleep for three or four hours each night, with the entire herd stopping in a convenient location to rest, and moving on.
A small sector of African elephants live in the desert. These members of the species have specifically adapted to the dryness of the climate and the surrounding sand. It is extremely important for elephants living in the desert to have access to a water source, which keeps them clean, cool and hydrated. Although elephants are nomadic, generally they will not wander further than 50 miles from a water source.
African elephants are regularly found in the wetlands, which make up only 1 percent of Africa's land. Many other large mammals spend time in the wetlands alongside elephants, as often times, they are the only water source in an area. In addition to the water, these areas are rich in the vegetation that African elephants eat.
As the name suggests, African forest elephants live in the dense rain forests and lowland jungles of western and central Africa. They are smaller than African savanna elephants and differ in the size of their tusks and number of toes. They often congregate in clearings known as bais, which house natural mineral licks.
