Top 10 Animal Myths

from http://animal.discovery.com/

Sometimes it's hard to separate fact from fiction, especially with the many myths that involve animals. Their behavior can certainly be mysterious to say the least, so it's no wonder that some of these creatures have become the focal point of speculation. Take a peek at these 10 animal myths and discover which ones are actually true and which are merely urban legend.

African elephant

Type:

Mammal

Diet:

Herbivore

Average life span in the wild:

Up to 70 years

Size:

Height at the shoulder, 8.2 to 13 ft (2.5 to 4 m)

Weight:

5,000 to 14,000 lbs (2,268 to 6,350 kg)

Group name:

Herd

Protection status:

Threatened

Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m)

African elephants are the largest land animals on Earth. They are slightly larger than their Asian cousins and can be identified by their larger ears that look somewhat like the continent of Africa. (Asian elephants have smaller, rounded ears.)