Packy the elephant lives at the Oregon Zoo and is very famous. In 1962 he was the first elephant born in captivity in the western hemisphere in 44 years. Packy is now the largest Asina elephant in the United States standing at 10 feet and 6 inches at the shoulders and weighing 13,500 pounds. The scientific name for elephants is elephas maximus. Elephants can weigh up to 13,500 pounds and be as tall as 12 feet. Elephant feet are adapted to support great weight. They stand on their toes that are arranged in a circle around a spongy pad that cushions each step. The extremely strong and flexible trunk of an elephant is used for feeding, defending themselves and plays a roll in communication. Elephants are herbivores and may spend as much as 18 to 20 hours feeding in a day. They like to eat bamboo, fruits, leaves, reeds, grasses and drinks up to 50 gallons of water. Elephants come from Africa and Asia.
