Information is taken from the game and may change or differ over time. Last updated .
Unlocked at Accreditation Tier 5
Statistics
Native to both Central and Southeast Asia, the Asian elephant (or Elephas maximus) is a species distinguishable by a distinctive trunk, small ears, and grey skin with pink mottling around the face.
They are large herbivores and live in a variety of different environments, including forests, grasslands and mountains, wherein they feed on tree leaves, bark and grasses.
Asian elephants are smaller than their African counterparts, with males reaching an average height of 2.75m and weighing 4000kg, compared to the female average of 2.40m and 2400kg.
- Elephants migrate at the beginning of the dry season to areas with more food and water.
- Despite popular opinion, elephants do not use their trunk to drink; they use it to funnel water into their mouth.
- Elephants have been known to use tree branches to swat flies, dislodge parasites and scratch themselves.
- In the wild, elephants have mutualistic relationships with birds that remove parasites from their skin.
- Asian elephants are more closely related to mammoths than African elephants.
Habitat
Minimum habitat requirements
Planned population
Space
Barrier
Terrain
Environment
Preferred group ranges
Social
Elephants are mostly social animals, with females living, travelling and foraging in tight-knit herds with their calves. They will also care for each other and help each other raise young. These herds are matrilineal – normally, the oldest female will lead the group and, when she dies, the next oldest female will take her place. Young adult male elephants live loosely bonded in bachelor herds and travel together to locate food and mates. The exception is mature males, who will often live alone.
Barrel Feeder - Hanging
Barrel Feeder - Large
Fixed Roller Feeder - Large
Melon Feeder
Suspended High Grazer Feeder
Tree Scatter Feeder
Veggie Jelly Cake
Gyro
Large Ball
Large Tyre
Mud Bath
Musical Keyboard
Rubbing Pillar
SkittleRelease
Release requirements
Log in to track where you have released this species.
Bull Group
Maternal Family Group
Solitary Bull
Conservation
The species is Endangered, threatened primarily by the loss, degradation and fragmentation of their habitat. All of these are a result of humanity's expansion into their lands, and furthermore this sharing of space causes additional conflict between the two; the animals trample crops and destroy farmland, and thus are often killed by humans. Poaching is also a threat but to a lesser extent than African elephants because their tusks are much smaller and only present in mature males.
In order to conserve the Asian elephant, efforts are being made to protect their habitats and provide connections between populations that have become separated by the change in land use. Indian conservation groups are also conducting research on the conflict between farmers and elephants, in order to propose adaptive management schemes as problems arise.
Research
| Level | Unlocks | Bonus | Research gate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thriving Requirement 1: Mud Bath, at least 1 | ||
| 2 | Thriving Requirement 2: at least 5 objects or plants with the Trees tag; Asian Elephant Fact Sheet | ||
| 3 | Release groups and release to the wild | ||
| 4 | Thriving Requirement 3: Food Grade 2; Fertility Level 1 | Fertility (+15%) | Before this level: an Observation Network (Observation Platform) in Sumatra Reserve and this species released in Sumatra Reserve |
| 5 | Thriving Requirement 4: at least 50% native plants | ||
| 6 | Thriving Requirement 5: Waterfall and Metal Frame, at least 2; Fertility Level 2 | Fertility (+30%) |
Conservation topics
Life
Reproduction
Lifecycle
Body
2.75 m
2.4 m 4000 kg 2400 kgBreeding
Asian elephants can mate year round, but fertility peaks during rainy seasons. To mate, male elephants will track female herds. Their success is dependent on their maturity, as well as the receptiveness of the female, and he is also more likely to receive a female's attraction if he's going through 'musth' – a time of heightened aggression and virility due to an increase in his testosterone levels. The two will then court by chasing after and vocalising to one another.
An elephant pregnancy lasts between 18 and 22 months before the birth of a single calf, who will stay with its mother until the age of 8. At this point, females stay with their mother's herd, whereas males leave and join a bachelor herd of other young males.