Elephants live in a matriarchal society. Herdes are made up of around ten female elephants and young calves. After reaching sexual maturity, the males leave the group at around 10 years of age, at which point the calf is considered an adult. They wander until they form an alliance with other young males. The female who laeds the herd is often around fifty years old and the most experience. She decides the route and shows each of the other members of the herd all the known watering holes and fields. Relations between herd members are close. However, sometimes large herds have to split up when food is scarce, but even in these conditions, the groups maintin contact.
With the largest brain of any terrestrial being, weighing in at 5 kg, elephants have a very long memory. They never forget a face, even after years of separation. They can show emotions such as tenderness towards members of their family or sadnes (they are capable of crying ).
It would seem that the rainy season is the most favorable for mating because of the abundance of food. The mating period lasts two days, followed by a 22-month gestation period. To give birth, the female choses a shady spot and stands throughout, often assisted by other females. The baby elephant will weigh between 90 and 100 kg and gain 25 kg each month. Breastfeeding lasts between 36 and 48 months, depanding on the needs of the ' infant ' . Although it is totally dependent on its mother, it is able to follow her very quickly after birth.
It ' s hard not to be facinated by the elephant, for its imposing, majestic appearance, its sociability with other elephants and with humans, its intelligence and its exceptional memory. It is rightly regarded as a symbol of wisdom and prosperity. It deserves to be widely protected against all forms of paoching, which is becoming a major scourge. |
