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Introduction
The Indian Elephant is primarily sub-species of Asian Elephant found mostly in India. The Indian Elephant can also be found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Laos, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia.
Indian Elephants are sociable animals and travel from one forest to another. They are seldom found living in the same area for more than a couple of days.
Zoological Name - Elephas maximus
Population and Current Status
The estimated population of Indian Elephants in India is almost 28,000 including animal parks and zoos.
Physical Characteristics
Compared to the African Elephant, the Indian Elephant is smaller in size and grows up to a height of 11 feet and weighs approximately 5 tons. The brain itself weighs 5 kilograms and is considered the heaviest among all mammals.
Indian Elephants have large ears, long trunks, gray and hairy skin. The trunks are used for breathing, helps in food and water in-take, to lift objects and make sounds to communicate. The tusks which are elongated incisor teeth are missing in Indian Elephants.
The gestation period of elephants is exceptionally long, from 19 to 21 months. This leads to a low birth rate.
Habitat
The Indian Elephant mainly inhabits the dense tropical forests of South India, North East India and the sub Himalayan region.
Diet
Asian Elephants are vegetarians and choose from a variety of vegetarian diet like grasses, bamboo, leaves, bark, shoots, creepers and palms. They also enjoy fig leaves and fruits, wood apple and mango. Tamed elephants are fed leaves, sugarcane, bananas and rice gruel.
Behavior
Indian Elephants live in small social groups especially in the forests. In such social groups the female elephant leads the little elephants and the older elephants. Adult elephants are often seen either in small groups of male elephants or in solitude.
Wildlife Sanctuaries
To enjoy Indian Elephant in their natural habitat visit the Periyar National Park in Kerala, South India and Corbett National Park in Uttaranchal, North India.
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