These 3-D (three dimensional) puzzle animals are some of the more detailed we have seen, making them an interesting replica as well as a fun toy for grown-ups and children above the age of 3. The 34 pieces are cleverly fitted, flexible, and not too difficult to assemble, although the African elephant is one of the more difficult of the series. See our other 3-D Puzzle animals here.Come look through our entire collection of African elephant toys and gifts.
Until recently, it was believed that there were only two species of elephant - African and Asian (Elephas maximus). However, in 2004, DNA evidence proved that there are actually two true species of African elephant - African savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana) and African forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis). African savannah elephants are the largest elephant, African forest elephants are slightly smaller and Asian elephants are the smallest elephant. African elephants have larger ears than the Asian elephant. In the African species, both the male and female elephants have large visible tusks. In the Asian species only the males have large visible tusks. The females have small tusks called tushes that are not usually visible. African elephants only have one dome on the top of their head, and the flat forehead is slightly sloped. The Asian elephant has two distinct domes at the top of its head. There is a projection on the end of the elephant's trunk that is referred to as a "finger." African elephants have two "fingers" on the end of their trunk, and will use a grasping motion when picking things up. (This is much like the way we use our thumb and forefinger.) The Asian elephant has only one "finger," so it has to curl the end of its trunk around anything it wants to pick up. All three elephant species are endangered because of poachers who hunt them for their tusks.
Front View
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The pieces shown are from the sabertooth cat puzzle. All puzzles have similarly shaped flexible pieces, although the number of pieces differs with each animal. The color of the plastic also varies. Skin or fur colors are painted.
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Your purchase of
stuffed animals,
plastic animals,
and other toys and gifts from
Tapir and Friends Wildlife World
helps preserve endangered species
and their habitats
All tapirs are endangered species
Saving tapirs helps save the rainforest
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Write to us: tapir@tapirback.com
P.O. Box 118, Astoria, Oregon 97103, USA
Office phone / fax (503) 325-3179 ~ Cell phone (503) 338-8646
