11-14-2007, 09:39 PM
Even the elephants used by Carthage are extinct.
Not exactly. The Romans did drive the African Forest elephant to extinction in North Africa, but it continues to live in western africa (north benin, nigeria, chad) and other regions. Actually it was just officially recognized as a separate species by the worlds scientists in recent years. They tend to be a few feet shorter than their large Savannah cousins, with straighter tusks used for digging rather than fighting. They also seem to be darker (not light grey) perhaps because they live in the jungle and find the dark color more camoflaging. They are smaller than Asian and Savannah elephants, hence the ancient truth that Asian war elephants WERE bigger than Carthage or Egypt's war elephants.
So no, not extinct, but certainly not common.
Not exactly. The Romans did drive the African Forest elephant to extinction in North Africa, but it continues to live in western africa (north benin, nigeria, chad) and other regions. Actually it was just officially recognized as a separate species by the worlds scientists in recent years. They tend to be a few feet shorter than their large Savannah cousins, with straighter tusks used for digging rather than fighting. They also seem to be darker (not light grey) perhaps because they live in the jungle and find the dark color more camoflaging. They are smaller than Asian and Savannah elephants, hence the ancient truth that Asian war elephants WERE bigger than Carthage or Egypt's war elephants.
So no, not extinct, but certainly not common.
John Kistler
writer, businessman, elephant lover
writer, businessman, elephant lover
