Animals On Earth: India, Asia, China, Hawaii, And Madagascar

Asian Elephant

The Asian elephant is characterised by its long trunk with a single finger-like processing; large tusks in males

The Asian elephant is the largest land mammal on the Asian continent. They inhabit dry to wet forest and grassland habitats in 13 range countries spanning South and Southeast Asia. While they have preferred forage plants, Asian elephants have adapted to surviving on resources that vary based on the area.

Asian elephants are gentle and super-social. Related females live with their young in herds. (Adult males go off on their own.)

Tigers are the one major natural predator of the Asian elephant. However, they rarely attack the full grown Asian elephants, preferring to hunt the smaller elephant calves (babies).

Asian elephants are highly intelligent animals. Led by a matriarch, their herds are characterised by strong family bonds, sophisticated forms of communication and complex behaviour. Asian elephants use tools and can feel grief and compassion.

Now a new study is giving hope for protecting Asian elephants as well. The world's largest land animal, the elephant, has an unlikely nemesis in the form of tiny honeybees.

Feed as browsers (eat shrubs and trees) and grazers (eat grass); Eat a wide variety of trees, shrubs, climbing plants

Asian elephants are herbivores and require large quantities of food to maintain their massive bodies, which can weigh up to several tons. Adult elephants can consume up to 130 kilograms (300 pounds) of food in a single day.

Currently, Asian elephants live in 13 countries - Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. Asian elephant numbers have plummeted in the wild due to massive habitat destruction and poaching.

The Asian elephant is the largest land mammal on the Asian continent. They inhabit dry to wet forest and grassland habitats in 13 range countries spanning South and Southeast Asia. While they have preferred forage plants, Asian elephants have adapted to surviving on resources that vary based on the area.