Wildlifeof Thailand
Asian Elephant
Elephantidae
Photo: (c) Morten Ross, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY 4.0 (May be cropped or resized)
Elephas maximus
Basic stats
Diet
Grasses and other vegetation, about 150kg a day
Habitat
Grassland, evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist and dry deciduous forest, and dry thorn forest
Range
Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, from India to Borneo and Nepal to Sumatra
Weight
Adult males average about 4t; females about 2.7t
The Asian elephant is the largest living land animal in Asia. It is recognised by its long trunk with a single finger-like process, large tusks in males, laterally folded large ears and wrinkled grey skin that is partly depigmented on the trunk, ears or neck. Adult males average about 4 tonnes and females about 2.7 tonnes. Three subspecies are recognised: the Sri Lankan, Indian and Sumatran elephants (Wikipedia, general species account).
It inhabits grasslands and a range of forest types, from tropical evergreen to dry thorn forest, and eats about 150 kg of vegetation a day. Cows and calves live in groups, while males remain solitary or form bachelor groups, joining female groups temporarily to mate. Wild animals live to about 60 years. Habitat loss, degradation, fragmentation and poaching are the main threats (Wikipedia, general species account).
Quick answers
- What does the Asian Elephant eat?
- Grasses and other vegetation, about 150kg a day
- What habitat does the Asian Elephant live in?
- Grassland, evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist and dry deciduous forest, and dry thorn forest
- Where is the Asian Elephant found?
- Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, from India to Borneo and Nepal to Sumatra
- How much does the Asian Elephant weigh?
- Adult males average about 4t; females about 2.7t