Where does the Asian elephant live?
The Asian elephant lives on the Indian subcontinent and in South-East Asia, from India in the west to Borneo in the east, and from Nepal in the north to Sumatra in the south. It inhabits grasslands, tropical forests, moist or dry forests, scrublands and even cultivated forests. It occurs from sea level to over 3,000 m. It once lived across the whole Asian continent.
What does the Asian elephant eat?
The Asian elephant is a herbivore: it eats about 150 kg of vegetation per day. Cows and calves form groups led by a female, while males remain solitary or form "bachelor groups". Its trunk ends in a single finger-like tip, whereas African elephants have two. It is highly intelligent and self-aware: it can display behaviours linked to grief, learning and greeting.
Is the Asian elephant endangered?
Yes: the IUCN lists it as Endangered. It is the largest living land animal in Asia and the second largest elephantid in the world. An adult male weighs 4 tonnes on average, and a female 2.7 tonnes. It is often domesticated and used as a mount or draught animal.
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