FACTS ON ELEPHANT
Elephants are one of the most fascinating and wonderful animals on the surface of earth. Elephants are commonly found in Africa and Asia with the former larger in size. For centuries, elephants have been used as beasts of burden and generated curiosity and awe among human beings. We all want to know more and more about elephants. Asian elephants differ from their African counterparts by their smaller size, smaller ears, rounded back and a fourth toenail on each of their hind feet. The Asian/ Indian elephants have a thick and dry skin with small amount of hair and are grey to brown in color. It is important to note that female Asian elephants have rudimentary tusks. Here are some interesting and useful facts on Indian/ Asian elephants.FOOD HABITS
The Asian Elephant is an herbivore and feeds itself on bamboo, berries, mangoes, shrubs, tree, bananas, wood, apples, wild rice and coconuts. Since their bodies make use of only half of the food they consume, the elephant must eat between 330 and 350 pounds of food each day for their survival. On an average an elephant drinks 22 to 30 gallons of water each day. HABITAT
The areas with thick forests and an abundant supply of food are the most preferred habitat of elephants. The elephants also like muddy areas, where they can cool off during the hot summers.PREDATORS
The fully-grown elephants are so large that they don't have natural enemies as they can easily crush most predators. The bigger animals attack only the very young elephants. The baby elephant's mother is very protective of her young and when she is away, other females of the herd take care of her young.SOCIAL STRUCTURE
Do you know that elephants have a matriarchal society and the leader of the herd is an elder female? Male elephants join a herd usually during mating season. The members of an elephant herd communicate with each by a combination of gestures and sounds. Elephants are known to have a strong sense of commitment to other members of the herd.
The Indian Elephant is one of three subspecies of the Asian elephant. The other two subspecies of the Asian Elephant are E. m. sumatranus (found in Sumatra) and E. m. maximus (found in Sri Lanka). The largest population of Asian Elephants is found in India. The subspecies of Asian Elephants is also found in Bangladesh, Borneo, Bhutan, China, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal, Sumatra and Vietnam.
