African elephants are the largest land animals on earth. They are slightly larger than their Asian cousins and can be recognised by their larger ears. (Asian elephants have smaller, rounded ears) Elephant ears radiate heat to keep these large animals cool, but sometimes the African heat is too much. Elephants love water and enjoy showering by sucking water into their trunks and spraying it on themselves. Afterwards they often spray their skin with a protective layer of dust.