Back to the animal collection
Asian elephant
Reference image

Yathin S Krishnappa · Original image & credits · CC BY-SA 3.0

Image is cropped for display. View uncropped original

MAMMALS

Asian elephant

Meet asian elephant—one more extraordinary life to discover.

Discover the expedition atlas
A CLOSER LOOK

A reference overview

The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), also known as the Asiatic elephant, is the only living species in the genus Elephas. It is the largest living land animal in Asia and the second largest living elephantid in the world. It is characterised by its long trunk with a single finger-like process; large tusks in males; laterally folded large ears and wrinkled grey skin that is partly depigmented on the trunk, ears or neck.

Overview excerpt from Wikipedia contributors · Asian elephant, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Excerpt may be shortened. Overview retrieved 2026-10-09.

KNOW WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT

The evidence behind this discovery

Source-linked

This overview is attributed to Wikipedia contributors and was retrieved on 2026-10-09. Retrieval is not independent scientific review.

Reference media

The picture has a linked creator and license. Extinct-animal images may show a fossil, specimen or reconstruction; a reconstruction is not a photograph of the living animal.

Scope and uncertainty

Map points represent selected regions, not complete ranges or live sightings. References and identifications can change. A linked source is not an expert certification.

Read our evidence and editorial approach →
LET ONE QUESTION OPEN ANOTHER

Where will this discovery take you?

Follow a discovery guide ↗
Saved on this browser.
Return to your collection