Asian Elephant
Elephas maximus
Conservation Status
EndangeredMammalia · Proboscidea · Elephantidae
About
The Asian elephant, also known as the Asiatic elephant, is the only living Elephas species. It is the largest living land animal in Asia and the second largest living elephantid in the world. It is characterised 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 4 t in weight and females 2.7 t. It has a large and well developed neocortex of the brain, is highly intelligent and self-aware, being able to display behaviours associated with grief, learning and greeting. Three subspecies are recognised—E. m. maximus, E. m. indicus and E. m. sumatranus.
Fun Fact
Asian elephants can distinguish between human languages and voices, responding more fearfully to languages spoken by ethnic groups that historically harm them — demonstrating cross-species acoustic learning.
Quick Facts
Habitat
Tropical and subtropical forests
Diet
Herbivore
Lifespan
60-70 years
Threats
- Illegal Wildlife Trade
- Habitat Fragmentation
- Genetic Bottleneck
- Small Population Size