Did you know the word “Elephant” is Latin for “huge arch”? These majestic animals are the largest living land mammals in the world.

Male elephants can grow up to 4 meters tall and weigh as much as 7 tonnes, while females reach up to 3.5 tonnes.

To sustain their massive size, elephants consume 4-7% of their body weight in food daily. This results in an impressive 150 kg of dung every day! Elephants are herbivores, feasting on grasses, fruits, and plants, and live up to 70 years.

Despite their size, they can walk 25 km daily and even sprint at 40 mph. Elephants are found in 37 African and 13 Asian countries. There are three elephant species: African savannah (Loxodonta africana), African forest (Loxodonta cyclotis), and Asian (Elephas maximus).

Elephant Anatomy

Elephants’ trunks, a combination of their upper lip and nose, can weigh 140 kg and perform tasks ranging from picking up feathers to holding 12 liters of water. Their tusks, made of ivory, appear at age two and can weigh over 100 kg in males. Unfortunately, poaching for ivory has severely diminished elephant populations. Their large ears help regulate body temperature by pumping blood through them, while their thick 2.5 cm skin protects them, though they are prone to parasites. Elephants have six sets of teeth throughout their lives and possess large brains, weighing 4-6 kg, contributing to their intelligence and memory.

Elephant Social Behavior

Elephants are social creatures living in matriarchal groups led by the oldest female. Females and their young form herds, while males live solitary lives or join bachelor groups. The matriarch ensures survival during tough times, guiding the herd to food and water.

Elephant Communication

Elephants communicate through vocalizations, with 70 known calls, including trumpets and rumbles. They also use infrasound, which travels up to 14 km, and seismic waves detected through their sensitive feet. Smells and chemical signals from temporal glands aid their interactions.

Elephant Reproduction

Female elephants become mothers around 15-16 years old and can birth up to 12 calves. Their gestation period lasts 22 months. Males reach their reproductive prime at 30-35 years, marked by "musth," a condition of high aggression and hormone levels.

Baby Elephant Facts

Dear Lykkers. Baby elephants, or calves, weigh about 91 kg and stand 1 meter tall at birth. They consume 3 gallons of milk daily and remain close to their mothers for food and safety. Female elephants in the herd care for new calves, showcasing their communal nature.

Elephants 101 | Nat Geo Wild

Video by Nat Geo Animals

Elephant Habitat Facts

African elephants thrive in sub-Saharan regions, rainforests, and deserts, while Asian elephants inhabit forests in Nepal, India, and Southeast Asia. They adapt to dry conditions by digging for water and are protected by their size and thick skin from predators.

Facts About Elephant Size

African elephants are the largest land animals, with males weighing up to 14,000 lbs and standing 13 feet tall. The largest recorded elephant weighed 24,000 lbs. Both genders have tusks, with males’ tusks being significantly larger and heavier.