Dear Readers,
This fact sheet, like an elephant, is aging gracefully. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is working to bring you an updated version of the Asian Elephant Fact Sheet with new science and conservation information. Thanks for your patience, as our tusks go to the ground and dig into this huge project. Please check back soon. SDZWA team members can email questions to library@sdzwa.org.
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Attribute | Male | Female |
---|---|---|
Body Weight* | 2,000-5,500 kg. (4,400-12,000 lbs.) | 2,000-5,500 kg. (4,400-12,000 lbs.) |
Body Length | 5.5-6.5 m. (18-21 ft.) | 5.5-6.5 m. (18-21 ft.) |
Tail Length** | 1.2-1.5 m. (4-5 ft.) | 1.2-1.5 m. (4-5 ft.) |
Shoulder Height*** | 3.2 m. (10.5 ft.) | 2.24 m. (7.4 ft.) |
*Largest living land mammal (several whales are larger)
**Tail of E. m. boreensis longer than other subspecies - almost touches the ground
***A bull displayed at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History measured 4 m (13 ft.) at the shoulder. Shoulder height = forefoot circumference x 2
General
Skin
Hair and Nails
Skeleton
Teeth
Tusks
Trunk
Ears
Glands
Internal Organs
Eyesight
Close-up of an Asian elephant's head.
Image credit: © San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. All rights reserved.
Asian Elephant (left) has smaller ears than African Elephant (right).
Image credit: © San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. All rights reserved.
Texture of an Asian elephant's skin.
Image credit: © San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. All rights reserved.
An Asian elephant's sturdy legs and feet support its large body.
Image credit: © San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. All rights reserved.
Alter (2004)
Fowler & Makata (2006)
Hutchinson et al (2006)
Manoussaki el al (2007)
Mariappa (1986)
Shosani (1992)
Shoshani & Eisenberg (1982)
Sukumar (1989)
Yokoyama et al (2005)