African Elephant Social Habits

Social Habits of African Elephant:

Family groups are the basis of elephant society, and consist of herds of females. A group can be as small as 3 or 4, or as large as 25 or more, although in times of plenty several family groups may join together to form large herds, sometimes containing hundreds of individuals.

Herds are matriarchal: females spend their lives with the herds into which they were born, and the social structure of the herd revolves around the cows, who wield the power in elephant society.

Males are only associated with female herds when they are very young, or briefly during mating. Young males remain in the herd with their mothers until they reach puberty, which is usually between the ages of 10 and 13; they then either remain alone ('lone bulls'), or form small, loosely associated 'bachelor herds' together with other young males .

From birth to about 5 years old, young elephants grow, develop bonds with other elephants in their family group, and learn about their environment: where to locate food and water.

Young females also learn to associate with calves, which not only helps prepare them for motherhood but strengthens their relationship with the calves mother.

It seems that one of the most important reasons for elephant herds is the protection and nurturing of the young, as, unlike adult elephants, calves are highly vulnerable to predation, particularly by lions, and have no means of natural defense.

Very young elephants walk underneath their mothers' bellies, between their legs. The mother, as well as other females within the herd, defend them vigorously.

The "Big 5": • Lion • Leopard • Elephant • Buffalo • Rhino •

Best places to see the African Elephant in Southern Africa:

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Kruger National Park

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Elephant are found in many of the National Parks and private nature reserves throughout africa. Click on the links below to find places that have elephant.

NATIONAL PARKS