Here you’ll find some amazing answers to all your burning questions about this fantastic animal.
In captivity, an elephant’s life expectancy can vary from 40 to 70 years. In the wild, they live until they are about 35 to 45 years old.
An adult male elephant weighs between 5,000 and 14,000lbs while the female weighs around 3,500 to 7,000lb.
The male elephant is called a bull elephant and the female elephant is called a cow. A baby elephant is known as a calf. African and Asian elephants also differ in size, ear shape, and tusk development.
An African Elephant has one baby at a time and will give birth every three to four years. An Asian elephant has one or two babies at a time. Read more facts about baby elephants, from birth weight to first steps.
An elephant can eat between 90 and 150 kilograms of food every day, depending on how big it is. They mainly eat grass and fruit, but they also like to munch on branches.
Elephants have tusks because their top incisors are really long. In some elephant species, the males’ tusks curve outwards and upwards, but in others they stick straight up. Read our special FAQ about the elephant’s tusks.
The average tusk size for a male elephant is around 20 inches, while the female’s tusks are shorter at around 16 inches.
Elephants are among the most intelligent animals on the planet. They use tools, show empathy, and even mourn their dead. Explore the many ways elephants prove their intelligence.
Elephant ears act as a cooling system, helping regulate body temperature in hot climates. African elephants have much larger ears than Asian elephants. Find out more about why elephants have big ears.
As of 2025, there are an estimated 415,000 African elephants and 40,000-50,000 Asian elephants remaining in the wild. Both species face serious threats from poaching and habitat loss. Learn more about why elephants are endangered.
