Adaptations
The trunk provides smell, touch, drinking, feeding, and communication functions. Large ears release body heat, column-like legs support great weight, and broad feet spread pressure across soft ground.
Behavior and daily life
Related females and young commonly travel in family groups led by an experienced matriarch. Adult males often range alone or in looser associations, while low-frequency calls help elephants communicate across long distances.
Conservation
Current profile labelEndangered
Habitat loss, conflict with people, and illegal killing for ivory remain major pressures. Conservation work combines protected habitat, connected movement routes, law enforcement, and locally designed conflict reduction.
An elephant trunk combines the nose and upper lip and can handle tasks ranging from breathing to grasping small objects.
