Exploring the Lives and Habitats of Asian Elephants

by Kadija Bah, age 8

Asian Elephants are massive elephants found in India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and many countries in Asia. Although they are not the biggest species of elephants, they can be up to 18-20 ft tall.

Asian elephants are so massive, that they must consume an enormous amount of plants like grass, leaves, bamboo, bark, and plantains vast bulk causing them to have an abnormal digestion and more demand for food. Male elephants can weigh about seven tons and females weigh up to four tons.

They can live up to 60 years on average, but some can live upward of 70 or 80 years. There are four Asian Elephant subspecies. Asian elephants once lived in Iraq, but they are currently found in certain regions of India, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia.

This species has 24 teeth. Asian elephants use their rigid teeth to grind on their food. Eventually, these teeth fall off after losing durability and regrow later in life. Asian elephants are unique for size and abilities. But their habitat is facing crucial changes that threaten elephants a sustaining life for years.

[Source: The Encyclopedia of Animals]