Asian Elephants
Asian elephant (also known as Asiatic elephant), is the largest surviving land mammal in Asia. They live in various habitats likes forest, grasslands and wetlands across 13 countries in South and Southeast Asia. They are very social animals. They create group of about six to seven females who are family members, and the oldest female, called the matriarch, leads the group. Currently, there are less than 52,000 Asian elephants remaining in their natural habitats. They are classified as endangered on the IUCN red list.
Characteristics of Asian Elephants
The following are the characteristics of Asian Elephants:
- Asian elephants are very intelligent animals. Their brains are huge, weighing between 9-13 pounds.
- Asian elephants are known for their strong family bonds and complex communication style.
- Usually, female elephants don’t have tusks, while males have bigger and more noticeable ones. They have large well developed, neocortex in their brains similar to what found in some dolphin species, primates and humans.
- Among all animals, Asian elephant have the longest gestation periods, lasting from 18 to 22 months.
- Adult male Asian elephant are generally less sociable compared to females. They engage in a yearly mating ritual called Musth, typically observed in older males over 30 years old.
Asian vs African Elephants
The difference between Asian and African elephants highlights the varying features between them. Despite belonging to the same species they possess different physical characteristics that set them apart. Asian and African elephants, named after the continents they inhabit, can be found respectively in Asia and Africa.
Both Asian and African elephants exhibit highly social behaviors, forming extensive herds comprised of closely related females and their young offspring. While both species are recognized for their land-dwelling nature, the Asian and African elephants show visible differences in appearance. In this article, we will look into the differences between Asian and African Elephants.
Table of Content
- Difference Between Asian and African Elephants
- Asian Elephants
- African Elephants
- Conclusion – Difference Between Asian and African Elephants
- FAQs on Difference Between Asian and African Elephants