Overview
Native to both Central and Southeast Asia, the Asian elephant (or Elephas maximus) is a species distinguishable by a distinctive trunk, small ears, and grey skin with pink mottling around the face. They are large herbivores and live in a variety of different environments, including forests, grasslands and mountains, wherein they feed on tree leaves, bark and grasses. Asian elephants are smaller than their African counterparts, with males reaching an average height of 2.75m and weighing 4000kg, compared to the female average of 2.40m and 2400kg.
Appearance
Male
Female
Juvenile
Colourmorphs
Albino male
Albino female
Albino juvenileSize & weight
Size
Shoulder height: 2.4 to 2.75 m
Measured as Shoulder height. The person stands 1.75 m tall for scale.
Habitat requirements
Barrier grade
Grade 4 of 5
Minimum height
3 m minimum
Climbing & water
Climb proof
Not needed
Water barrier
Not allowed
Barriers at this grade
Barrier types with resistance grade 4 or higher.
Habitat needs
Minimum area
Land
376 m² + 376 m² per extra animal
Water
25 m² + 25 m² per extra animal
Shelter
55 m² per animal
Environment
Temperature
14 to 36°C
Plant coverage
15-40%
Enclosure
Habitat
Dislikes
Snow
Terrain
- Grass 20-40%
- Sand 10-40%
- Soil 20-40%
- Rock 0-20%
- Waterlogged 10-40%
Diet and enrichment
Diet
- Leaves and Branches
- Hay
Water sources
Conservation
IUCN Red List
Endangered
Least concern
Critically endangered
Wild population
20,000
20,000-25,000 in the wild. Rank 26 of 58 species with a known count, smallest first.
The species is Endangered, threatened primarily by the loss, degradation and fragmentation of their habitat. All of these are a result of humanity's expansion into their lands, and furthermore this sharing of space causes additional conflict between the two; the animals trample crops and destroy farmland, and thus are often killed by humans. Poaching is also a threat but to a lesser extent than African elephants because their tusks are much smaller and only present in mature males. In order to conserve the Asian elephant, efforts are being made to protect their habitats and provide connections between populations that have become separated by the change in land use. Indian conservation groups are also conducting research on the conflict between farmers and elephants, in order to propose adaptive management schemes as problems arise.
Zoopedia sketchbook
Social & reproduction
Keeper notes
Elephants are mostly social animals, with females living, travelling and foraging in tight-knit herds with their calves. They will also care for each other and help each other raise young. These herds are matrilineal – normally, the oldest female will lead the group and, when she dies, the next oldest female will take her place. Young adult male elephants live loosely bonded in bachelor herds and travel together to locate food and mates. The exception is mature males, who will often live alone. Asian elephants can mate year round, but fertility peaks during rainy seasons. To mate, male elephants will track female herds. Their success is dependent on their maturity, as well as the receptiveness of the female, and he is also more likely to receive a female's attraction if he's going through 'musth' – a time of heightened aggression and virility due to an increase in his testosterone levels. The two will then court by chasing after and vocalising to one another. An elephant pregnancy lasts between 18 and 22 months before the birth of a single calf, who will stay with its mother until the age of 8. At this point, females stay with their mother's herd, whereas males leave and join a bachelor herd of other young males.
Group and breeding
Group
Group name
Herd
Group size
3-30 (up to 1 male, up to 29 females)
Male bachelor group
1-5
Female bachelor group
1-30
Offspring dispersal
Male offspring
Lifecycle and breeding
Life expectancy
55-70 years
Age of sexual maturity
11 years
Age of sexual sterility
Death
Gestation or incubation
22 months
Interbirth period
96 months
Litter size
1
Mating system
Polygynous
Mating season
Aseasonal
Reproduction in captivity
Difficult
Dominance
Matriarchal
Research
Research levels
| Level | Unlocks | Research gate |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Thriving Requirement 1: Mud Bath, at least 1 | |
| Level 2 | Thriving Requirement 2: at least 5 objects or plants with the Trees tag; Asian Elephant Fact Sheet | |
| Level 3 | Release groups and release to the wild | |
| Level 4 | Thriving Requirement 3: Food Grade 2; Fertility Level 1 (+15% fertility) | Before this level: an Observation Network (Observation Platform) in Sumatra Reserve and this species released in Sumatra Reserve |
| Level 5 | Thriving Requirement 4: at least 50% native plants | |
| Level 6 | Thriving Requirement 5: Waterfall and Metal Frame, at least 2; Fertility Level 2 (+30% fertility) | |
Researched by
Vets
Researched at
Habitat or exhibit and Research Centre
Wildlife Reserve
Sumatra Reserve
Every level of this species' research, with its unlock conditions.
Release groups
Valid release groups
| Group | Type | Animals |
|---|---|---|
| Bull Group | Male group | 3 to 5 males |
| Maternal Family Group | Female group | 5 to 15 females |
| Solitary Bull | Solitary male | 1 male |
Release requirements
| Requirement type | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Ecosystems Required | Flourishing Grassland |
| Ecosystems Required | Flourishing Forest Swamp |
Ecosystems
Release groups, reserve requirements and the roles this species fills.
Animal facts
- Elephants migrate at the beginning of the dry season to areas with more food and water.
- Despite popular opinion, elephants do not use their trunk to drink; they use it to funnel water into their mouth.
- Elephants have been known to use tree branches to swat flies, dislodge parasites and scratch themselves.
- In the wild, elephants have mutualistic relationships with birds that remove parasites from their skin.
- Asian elephants are more closely related to mammoths than African elephants.
Taxonomy
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
