header: Asian (Indian) Elephant
WWF Logo
line Elephas maximus Linnaeus, 1758

INTRODUCTION

The Asian (or Indian) Elephant is the largest terrestrial mammal in Asia, with a total head-body length of 550-640 cm, and shoulder height of 250-300 cm. It is smaller than the African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) with relatively smaller ears, and the head (not the shoulder) is the highest part of the body.10 Only male Asian Elephants carry tusks; females have small tushes which seldom show. A significant number of adult males do not have tusks, and the percentage of males carrying ivory varies by region (possibly reflecting the intensity of past ivory hunting), from only about 7% in Sri Lanka to 90% in south India.3

Asian elephants are primarily forest animals preferring a shady environment. They are found through a wide variety of forest types; distribution is limited by both the need for daily access to water, and by a preference for feeding on grass. Large areas of closed-canopy forest tend to be avoided.11 More than two thirds of the day can be spent feeding on grasses, but large amounts of bark, roots, leaves and small stems are also eaten. Cultivated crops such as bananas, rice and sugarcane are favoured foods.3 Elephants live in herds based on breeding groups of between 3 and 40 females and young.9 Herds form part of larger related groupings called clans. Mature males live alone or in small groups and have no permanent ties with the females. The elephant is used throughout Southeast Asia as a domestic animal. Captive elephants are mainly trained as working animals. Their ability to work in rugged country, and use in the removal of individual trees make elephants valuable for forestry operations.11 The Asian Elephant has an important place in religion and culture throughout the range.

<---- Contents
line