African elephant feeding. View of an African elephant (Loxodonta africana) feeding. It is using its trunk to tear grass from the ground and bring it to its mouth. The African elephant is the largest and heaviest land animal alive today. They can weigh over 7000 kilograms. They are herbivores which live in large social groups throughout the plains of central and eastern Africa. The groups, which can number over 30 individuals, are led by a mature female. Sick and elderly elephants are cared for by healthy members of the herd, and the creatures may live to 70 years old. Apart from humans, elephants have no natural predators. Photographed in the Masai Mara reserve, Kenya.