Behaviour

Elephants are able to move very quietly and barely leave tracks on firm ground. In wooded areas, elephants can lose sight of each other, so they emit rumbling purrs in order to keep in touch. Some of the sounds made by elephants can be heard by other elephants from over 19km away.

Females live together in close family groups of mothers, sisters and daughters. Female calves stay with their group, but male calves join bachelor herds, and when they reach sexual maturity, live mainly alone, though they do sometimes live in small, temporary groups.

Elephants are good swimmers despite their size, and use their trunks as snorkels. They love water and bathe frequently.