Scientific Name -Elephas maximus

Classification – Proboscidea (Ungulate)

Gender Names – Male – Bull, Female – Cow, Baby – Calf

Collective Noun – Herd

Average Height – 3 metres (9 feet)

Average Length – 2.4 metres (8.5 feet)

Average Weight – Males – 5,000 – 6,000 kg, females  2,000 – 3,000kg

Top Speed – 40 km/h (24 mph)

  Life Expectancy – Up to 60 years

 Mating Season – no particular season

Pregnancy – about 22 months

Special Features –  Ivory tusks used to dig for roots and water, strip bark from trees, and even fight each other. Smaller ears than the African elephant.

Family Unit – Female elephants (cows) live in family herds with other females and their young. Adult males (bulls) are more solitary and often roam great distances on their own searching for food.

Geographical Distribution – various parts of Asia

World Population – 40000 to 50000

Conservation Status – Endangered

Natural Habitat – forest and jungle

Diet – herbivore – plants, including grass, leaves, twigs and bark

Predators – humans

 

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