File:Asian elephant receiving training - DPLA - 956fa19d47cf45d2ea160c24e85a5fe5.jpg

35 mm slide; color. Scientific Classification: Kingdom: Animalia; Phylum: Chordata; Class: Mammalia; Order: Proboscidea; Family: Elephantidae; Genus: Elephas; Genus species: Elephas maximus bengalensis. Animal characteristics: Head-Body Length: 550-640 cm; Height: 250-300 cm; Identification: Asian elephants have thick skin and three hind foot nails. Females, unlike males, do not have tusks; Habitat: Grasslands, forests; Diet: Herbivore: vegetation; Reproduction: A single calf is born after gestation period of 18-22 months. Asian elephants can live for as long as 70 years; Social Structure: Cows form herds of 20 or more female relatives. The oldest female is the matriarch and leads the herd. Males travel alone or in temporary groups; Behavior: There is usually only one dominant male that mates with all of the females; Status: Endangered: poaching; Interesting Facts: Asian elephants have much smaller ears than African elephants. It is estimated that there are 28,000 to 48,000 Asian elephants left in the wild.