Elephant parental behavior
| Title | Info |
|---|---|
| Common name | Elephant, African |
| Scientific name | Loxodonta africana |
| Taxonomic group | Elephantidae |
| Source | Dan L. Perlman |
| Ecosystems | Grasslands, savannas |
| Grasslands and savannas | Tropical savanna |
| Change over time | Life cycles |
| Behavior | Social; Parental |
| Organisms | Animals |
| Animals | Mammals |
| Lessons | Life Histories |
| Date | August 09, 2003 |
| Location | Serengeti National Park,Tanzania,Africa |
Elephant female and young, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. Elephants form close-knit, long-lasting family groups consisting of adult females and young of both sexes. The tiny elephant under the large female is probably less than a year old and her baby. The other young elephant might be hers as well, or might be the offspring of another female in the group. Because females stay with their matriarchal clan, mothers and daughters may live together for several decades. African elephants have a gestation period of 22 months, their babies weigh approximately 120kg (~270lbs) at birth, and they may nurse their young for 4-5 years. Given this tremendous investment in each one of their offspring, elephant populations tend to grow very slowly. The African elephant is an archetypal example of a K-selected species, with this heavy investment in individual offspring and slow population growth.
