Joanna James
Grey coloured Asian elephants inhabit the tropical forests of Asia. The gentle mammals are assets to many humans and are creatures of immense fascination whether living in the wild or amongst man.
An average Asian elephant will weigh around 11,000 pounds. The gentle beasts will grow to heights of 10 feet and stretch to lengths of 21 feet. The females are smaller in size and may stand at an average height of 8 ½ feet while their weight too is half of a fully grown male elephant. Contrary to popular conceptualisation elephants do not clomp through the forests; instead they are capable of moving very silently through the brush – despite their enormous size.
Asian elephants are found to live in packs in forest blocks serviced by proper waterways. One of the biggest growing concerns today are the diminishing sizes of these forest covers that sometimes force these gentle mammals to wander into human habitat – causing uncalled for havoc in many instances. This is why many governments in recognition of the dwindling numbers of elephants and forest covers are creating protected sanctuaries for the animals to grow unhindered. Asian elephants are found in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, India, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, southern China, Bangladesh and Thailand; a country quite popular for the Elephant Camp Thailand part of the Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort.
Sadly the Asian elephant is listed as an endangered species. It is on the World Conservation Unions (IUCN) Red List of endangered animal species.
An Asian elephant's diet will include a huge variety of vegetation including barks, fruits, grass, farm crops, leaves and herbs.
There are many cute Asian elephants in zoos worldwide. These animals need a special diet and loads of care. A typical daily zoo diet of an Asian elephant will include 125 pounds of hay, ten pounds of vegetables and fruits, 10 pounds of vegetarian pellets and leafy branches.
The general life span of an Asian Elephant is 60 years; however it is recorded that due to the rigours of a changing habitat many do not live to the full span of years.
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