Chapter 8: Measurement Numbers in the Real World

Tons of Elephant Info

Asian Elephant ( Indian Elephant). . . . . Elephas maximus

SIZE: Height, 8 to 10 feet; weight, 3 to 5 tons.

RANGE: Southern Asia; parts of India, China, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Indonesia.

DIET: Herbivore; grasses, bamboo, roots, tree bark, wood, and some fruits.

LIFE SPAN: 60 to 70 years.

ADAPTATIONS:

     SENSES: The prehensile trunk is very strong as well as dexterous and sensitive. As a nose, it provides the elephant with an exceptional sense of smell, but it also is a useful tool for gathering its food, siphoning water to be ejected into the mouth, cleaning, and various other tasks. Elephants have peripheral vision with their eyes located toward the sides of their heads, which aids them in locating predators. Eyesight is good in dull light but considerably reduced in bright light, then reaching a maximum range of 50 yards. However, with the addition of excellent hearing and sense of smell, the elephant is well adapted to its environment.
     LOCOMOTION: The sole of the foot is soft and wide to cushion the legs and help spread the animal's weight. Even though the elephant is so large, the combination of legs and feet allow it to move quietly and with great agility (especially when climbing in mountainous areas.)
     FEEDING BEHAVIOR: Because of its size and daily food requirements of about 400 pounds of food and 40 gallons of water, they spend up to 20 hours per day foraging.
     SOCIAL UNIT: Indian elephants are gregarious and roam about in herds of 15 to 30, led by an old female. Usually the members are related to one another (related adult females, their young, and one old bull).
     REPRODUCTION: Gestation lasts 22 months and an adult female gives birth about every four years, starting at about age 13.
     MISC.: Although the skin is up to an inch thick, it is very sensitive. To care for it, the animal will take mud baths or dust baths. This protects it from insects and excessive heat.

This information and more available at the Phoenix Zoo Asian Elephant page.

How tall does a mature Indian elephant measure in feet?    How tall in inches? 
How much does one weigh in tons?    How heavy in pounds? 

How many times will an adult female, 40 years old,  have given birth? 
How many months of her life will she have been pregnant? 
 
How much food do the elephants require each day? 
What percentage of body weight is that for a 3-ton male?    For a 4-ton female? 

How many hours per day might an elephant forage for food? 
What fractional part of the day is that? 
How much time (in years) will a 47-year-old elephant spend searching for food?  In months?