The Indian elephant (Elephas maximus indicus) is one of three extant subspecies of the Asian elephant (genus Elephas). It inhabits the Indian subcontinent, with a range that historically extended across India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and parts of Pakistan and Myanmar. Today, the majority of wild Indian‑elephant populations are found in India’s protected areas and forest corridors.
Taxonomy
| Rank | Taxon |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Proboscidea |
| Family | Elephantidae |
| Genus | Elephas |
| Species | E. maximus |
| Subspecies | E. m. indicus |
| Authority | (Cuvier, 1825) |
Physical description
- Size – Adult males average about 2.75 m (9 ft) at the shoulder; females average about 2.4 m (7 ft 10 in).
- Mass – Males typically weigh ~4 000 kg (8 800 lb); females ~2 700 kg (6 000 lb).
- Morphology – The subspecies has a convex dorsal profile, with the highest point of the back located on the head rather than the shoulders. It exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in both stature and weight.
- Skin and hair – Skin is generally greyish‑brown; sparse hair is concentrated on the head, back of the ears, and tail tip.
Distribution and habitat
Indian elephants occupy a variety of habitats, including moist and dry deciduous forests, grasslands, and scrub. They are especially associated with riverine corridors that provide water year‑round. In India, key strongholds include the Western and Eastern Ghats, the Terai region of the Himalayan foothills, and the tropical forests of the Western and Central Ghats.
Ecology and behavior
- Diet – Primarily browsers and grazers; they consume grasses, leaves, bark, fruits, and roots. An adult may spend up to 19 hours per day feeding.
- Movement – Home‑range size varies with habitat quality, ranging from a few hundred to several thousand hectares.
- Dung production – An individual can produce roughly 100 kg (220 lb) of dung daily, which plays a crucial role in nutrient cycling and seed dispersal.
Conservation status
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) as Endangered. Habitat loss, fragmentation, human–elephant conflict, and poaching for ivory and body parts are the primary threats to the Indian‑elephant population, which is estimated to represent about 60 % of all wild Asian elephants.
Cultural significance
- National heritage animal of India – Officially designated to highlight the species’ cultural and ecological importance.
- National animal of Thailand and Laos – The Indian elephant (as the representative subspecies of E. maximus) is recognized as the national animal of these two Southeast Asian nations.
References
- Wikipedia contributors. “Indian elephant.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_elephant (accessed 6 June 2026).
- International Fund for Animal Welfare. “Indian Elephant Facts: Habitat, Diet, & Conservation.” https://www.ifaw.org/animals/indian-elephants (accessed 6 June 2026).
- World Wildlife Fund. “Indian Elephant.” https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/elephant/asian-elephant/indian-elephant (accessed 6 June 2026).