the north african elephant became extinct in roman times.
the north african elephant became extinct in roman times.
when did the north african elephant became extinct?
in roman times
the north african elephant ("loxodonta africana pharaohensis") was a subspecies of the african bush elephant ("loxodonta africana"), or possibly a separate elephant species, that existed in north africa, north of the sahara, until becoming extinct in roman times. these were the famous war elephants used by carthage in the punic wars, their conflict with the roman republic. although the subspecies has been formally described, it has not been widely recognized by taxonomists. other names for this animal include the "north african forest elephant", "carthaginian elephant", and "atlas elephant". originally, its natural range probably extended across north africa and down to the present sudanese and eritrean coasts.
north african elephant
after they conquered sicily in 242 bce, the romans wanted to capture some specimens that had been left behind in the middle of the island by the carthaginians, but failed in the endeavor. the elephants with which hannibal crossed the pyrenees and the alps in order to invade italy during the second punic war (218-201 bce) belonged to this group, with the exception of hannibal's personal animal, "surus" (meaning "the syrian," or possibly "one-tusker"). this individual, according to his documented name and large size, may have been a syrian elephant "(elephas maximus asurus"), which was possibly a subspecies of the extant asian elephant that became extinct shortly after hannibal invaded italy, but before the extinction of the north african elephant.
north african elephant