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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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Are both browsers (feeding on shrubs and trees) and grazers (feeding on grass)
Can consume many species of plants, as well as twigs and bark but usually only a few plant taxa
Strategies for obtaining grass include
Usually do not feed for more than a few days in one place
Drink every day when available; stay close to a source of fresh water
Anecdotal evidence reports elephants fond of alcohol; reports of raiding illicit liquor stores in the forest (Sukamar 89)
Adults eat approx. 150kg (330 lbs) daily; approximately 1.5 – 2% (dry weight) of body weight
Salt needed in diet; migrate to deposits regularly and excavate with tusks if necessary
Asian Elephant Mary (left) eating from a tree with African Elephant Mila (right)
Image credit: © San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. All rights reserved.
Poole (1996)
Santiapelli & Suprahman (1986)
Sukumar (1989, 1994)