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Indian Elephant Quick Facts
- Scientific name: Elephas maximus indicus
- Type of Animal: Mammal
- Animal Family: Elephantidae
- Where Found: In India and other Asian countries, including Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Bhutan and China
- Length: Up to 6.4m (21 ft.)
- Height: 1.8 to 3 m (6 to 10 ft.) shoulder height
- Weight: 2.7 to 5.4 tons (2.5 to 5 tonnes)
- Conservation Status: Endangered
- Other interesting Indian Elephant facts: The Indian elephant is more closely related to the woolly mammoth than the African elephant.
Indian Elephant Video
Watch the video below to see an Indian elephant in the wild:
Meet The Indian Elephant: Introduction
The Indian elephant is one of three subspecies (types) of Asian elephant. It is found in India and other Southeast Asian countries.
This large, intelligent mammal is not just an important part of the ecosystem; it is also an important religious and cultural symbol.
Sadly, the Indian elephant is an endangered species. This is a consequence of habitat loss and of poaching. We’ll find out more about its endangered status further down the page.
Elephants
Elephants are the largest land animals alive today. Due to their size, long trunks, and ivory tusks, they are among the world’s most recognizable animals.
There are three species of elephant alive today: two species of African elephant, and one species of Asian elephant.
(Until recently there was only one recognized species of African elephant. Many scientists now think that there are two separate species: the African bush elephant, and the African forest elephant.)
Asian Elephant Subspecies
The Indian elephant lives in mainland Asia. The other two subspecies of Asian elephant, the Sri Lankan and Sumatran elephants, are found on the islands of Sri Lanka and Sumatra, respectively.
The Indian elephant is smaller and has paler skin than the Sri Lankan elephant, but is slightly larger and darker than the Sumatran subspecies.
Difference Between Indian And African Elephant
The Asian elephant is smaller than the African elephant, and has smaller ears. There are a number of other differences between the species.
- The Indian elephant’s tough skin is smoother and less deeply wrinkled than that of the African elephant. Its skin often has light patches, particularly on or around the ears and trunk.
- Only male Indian elephants have tusks, which are present in both male and female African elephants. Some female Indian elephants have small tusks called ‘tushes’, which are only visible if the elephant opens its mouth.
- If you look closely at the tip of an Asian elephant’s trunk, you’ll see that it has a single small, finger-like bump at the top. African elephants have two of these: one at the top and one at the bottom.
What Does An Indian Elephant Eat?
Indian elephants are herbivores. They eat grass, bark and leaves, and spend 18 to 20 hours a day either feeding or looking for food.
The Indian elephant eats up to 150 kg (330 lb.) of food – and drinks between 80 and 200 liters of water – every day.
Indian Elephant Behavior
The Indian elephant lives in grasslands and forests. It is never found far from a source of water.
Female elephants live in herds, while males are more independent, living mostly on their own, and occasional forming small groups with other males.
Every year, male elephants undergo a condition known as ‘musth’. Elephants in musth become more aggressive, and fight each other (and anything else foolish enough to get in their way) to impress the females.
Females are pregnant for between 18 and 22 months. They usually give birth to a single calf, but occasionally have twins. Calves are fed with their mother’s milk for up to three years.
Elephants And Humans
Indian elephants can be domesticated, and are used to carry both people and heavy loads. Sadly, Indian elephants are often very badly treated by their owners.
The Indian Elephant’s Trunk
The Indian elephant’s trunk is really a continuation of its nose and upper lip. This muscular organ can lift heavy weights, gather food, spray water, and be used to make trumpeting sounds to communicate.
The male Indian elephant’s tusks are both fearsome weapons and useful tools. Their uses include: digging, stripping bark from wood and pushing objects around.
Are Indian Elephants Endangered?
Yes, the Indian elephant is an endangered species. Its population is fragmented (split into separate small groups) and getting smaller every year. This is due to habitat loss and ivory poaching.
In 2003, the maximum number of Indian elephants in the wild was estimated to be just over 50,000 – the size of the crowd at a Premier League football match.
Indian Elephant Facts For Kids: Questions
Q1. How many subspecies of Indian elephant are there?
- a) 1
- b) 3
- c) 7
Q2. At a zoo, you see an elephant with light patches on its skin. You also notice that it doesn’t have tusks. What kind of elephant is it?
- a) A female African elephant.
- b) A male Indian elephant.
- c) A female Indian elephant.
Q3. What is the conservation status of the Indian elephant?
- a) Least Concern
- b) Extinct In The Wild
- c) Endangered
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Indian Elephant Facts For Kids: Answers
Q1) 3, Q2) c, Q3) c
