Elephant Tail, Close-up

Caption: Elephant's tail, close-up, Kapama Private Game Reserve, South Africa. © Scotch Macaskill

Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel (EOS 300D); Lens: Canon EF 80-200mm F/2.8L; Focal length: 88mm; Aperture F/2.8; Shutter-speed 1/800; ISO: 400.

The African elephant's tail is about as long as the back legs. It is covered in virtually hairless skin similar to the rest of the hide, except at the tip where thick, tough hair sprouts out and hangs downwards.

This tuft of coarse hair at the end of the tail is useful as an insect swatter and bug deterrent when the tail is flapped against the body or waved around.

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